How often did you pass by the sign "Fruit and Vegetable market" on the 311 and wondered what was there? I finally checked it out! Look what I brought home...!

I must confess I didn't know much about the market before going. I drove into the complex and was a bit lost at first. It's a huge space spread over 6000 hectares, with warehouses, offices, a hypermarket... While parts of it are only for wholesalers and suppliers, several outlets sell to individuals.

I called a a friend who is a regular at the market and he recommended shopping from Abdulla bin Khater, one of the oldest fruits and vegetables suppliers in the UAE (click here for the google maps link).

It's a big market hall - with a roof, but still outdoors. Keep in mind this is far from being a luxury shopping experience! It rather felt like a trip abroad! The heat was manageable though around 10 AM.

Innumerable market stalls are lined up next to each other, each with a number - pretty handy so you can come back to the same seller later. If it hadn't been for the numbers everything would have looked the same to me. The only way to find your way around is to stick to the large alleys.

Although most of the stalls sell the same basic fruits and vegetables...

...some seem to be specialised in bulkier products.

There are literally mountains of fruits and vegetables!

A minority of the stalls also sell dried fruits and honey.

I didn't really know where to start, so I walked around the whole market once and tried to make mental notes about what I wanted to buy. Don't make this mistake- if you're like me you'll be so overwhelmed you probably won't remember anything or won't be able to find the stall again (unless you write down the number). Whenever you see something you want, get it immediately.

While I was walking around, many sellers offered their products for cheap- "blueberries 5 dhs", "grapes 5 dhs". Everything seemed to cost 5 dhs.

In reality prices are written on a list displayed on every stall. You should be able to haggle them down a bit. Read them out loud if you don't understand them at first- who wants a "panapil"?!

Since many products are mostly sold in boxes, you'll need help to carry them. No problem! Many porters are available and will follow you around while you do your shopping. This is the only way to shop here- in true Abdulla bin Khater style!

Don't hesitate to ask your porter where to shop from if you're looking for a specific product- he'll be happy to guide you.

Time to start shopping!

With the help of Muharram I ended up buying 5 kg tomatoes, 1,5 kg cherry tomatoes and a few more things although to be honest our wheelbarrow didn't look as impressive as others I saw! Give him a call if you're at the market and need a guide! His number is 050 739 0211.

Here are a few tips for a successful market visit:

- go early to avoid the worst heat

- make a shopping list or you'll end up buying way more than expected

- carry cash with you! There are ATMs but better bring cash anyways.

- only buy large quantities i. e. boxes! If you only want a kg here and a kg there you'll end up paying a standard "10 dhs" per product (strange enough there were no more 5 dhs offers at this stage!). This place only makes sense if you buy boxes. The vendor was so shocked when I asked for 2 mangoes that he gave me an additional one for free...!

- as soon as you see something you're interested in, buy it or you won't be able to remember of find the same stall again.

- from my experience it didn't make much difference price wise if I bought more or less items from one stall. Shop around!

- you can manage without a porter but do yourself and these hardworking men a favour and hire one.

I went there because I was curious to see what it looked like and I decided to make this a regular habit from now on. My best purchase were the flat peaches- so delicious and a real bargain for 10 dhs.

I had never bought 5 kg tomatoes or 1,5 kg cherry tomatoes at once before but I loved what I was forced to do with my purchases! I cooked passata for the first time in my life and was blown away to see how easy it was. I'm never buying passata again - the fresh version is tastier and cheaper! I also discovered a famous cherry tomato and feta recipe which I'll be sharing soon...