Synopsis

Market shoppers use all of their senses when trying to ascertain whether the groceries are local or imported. The privileging of local produce over imported goods is ever present regardless of whether or not the groceries actually are better, this follows to lines of argument – that by buying Croatian produce they are supporting Croatian agriculture and that domestic produce is familiar and tastier, although it is not the origin of the goods but the method of its production that counts. They rather chose to buy local goods simply because it is “our” , Croatian, local produce, and not some foreign, unfamiliar and alien foodstuff which is therefore deemed of lesser quality. For the preserves traditionally prepared to last throughout the winter, only local produce is considered worthy, it has to be treated, and conserved, for it to be safe, and caught at its best moment of maturity. This process demands that all foreign bodies be destroyed, that only the best pieces are used, those without fault, all this need be cleansed for the preserved to be safe from all decay.