The canelé (or cannelé) was a wonderful little discovery we made quite by chance while in Toulouse. The unassuming, striated cylindrical, mini-cupcake-like pastry didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary until I bit into it. The dark, caramelised crust was a bit hard and chewy, while the core was softer and lighter. You could definitely feel the density of the outer layer in its weight. Originally from the Bordeaux region, these little delights are made from a pancake-like batter incorporated with a fair bit of vanilla and rum, hence sometimes costing a tad bit more than one might imagine for its size. But, in my humble opinion, the joy that comes from trying one is definitely worth every cent. So yummy!

Apparently one must not leave Toulouse without trying their speciality sausage. Saucisse de Toulouse is a fresh pork sausage that is made in Toulouse itself. We tried some at Grand Café Le Florida, located at the Capitole Square, and found it to be quite tasty indeed. The soft natural casing came apart without much fuss, revealing the well-seasoned, grilled meat that it encased, and one could tell that these had, in fact, been produced locally. The mustard sauce that accompanied the dish complemented it perfectly, together with the fresh salad leaves and herby roasted jacket potatoes. A very satisfying lunch!