My Italian Luck...!

[toddster63]

Here in Santa Cruz, California, we have a strong Italian community that dates back to the late 1800's (many where, and still are, fishermen families here on our wharf). We also have a lovely independent market called Shoppers Corner that's been around since the 1930's—small as hell, but an excellent selection including the best independent meat market around.  Needless to say the Italian community have been Shopper's Corner shoppers for approaching a century....

I recently found on Shopper's Corner shelves—

Caputo Chefs OO (small red 2 lb bags of Pizzeria flour) for $1.99...!

Strianese DOP San Marzanos, 14 oz. can for $1.59...!

As you can expect, my mouth dropped and I filled my basket up! SCORE! It was my first experience with the Strianese's, and WOW—very nice true San Marzanos.

Once in a while we get lucky, don't we?

'Scuse me, but I got some pies to go make....

[RobynB]

That's a decent price for the little bags of Caputo, esp for Shoppers. 

[TXCraig1]

14oz Strianese SMs? I have not seen them in a little can like that.

I can get 28oz cans for $2.49 here.

[toddster63]

14oz Strianese SMs? I have not seen them in a little can like that.

I can get 28oz cans for $2.49 here.

Awesome, Craig. My best friend lives in Houston, and I can't believe your selection of foods there—both restaurants and markets. You can find everything there from good pizza to fabulous eel over 100 year old eggs! The variety is so good, and the prices so reasonable... I could never take your summers there, though. I've been there in July and YIKES, that hot humidity is hard for Nordic me, who's always been spoiled on the Calif coast...

My first couple of cans of Strianese were bright and clean, not the best San Marz's I've had, but nice... But today for lunch I made a pie, and the Strianese's were very bland and average—reminded me of Muir Glen organics—okay at best...?

[TXCraig1]

Awesome, Craig. My best friend lives in Houston, and I can't believe your selection of foods there—both restaurants and markets. You can find everything there from good pizza to fabulous eel over 100 year old eggs! The variety is so good, and the prices so reasonable... I could never take your summers there, though. I've been there in July and YIKES, that hot humidity is hard for Nordic me, who's always been spoiled on the Calif coast...

My first couple of cans of Strianese were bright and clean, not the best San Marz's I've had, but nice... But today for lunch I made a pie, and the Strianese's were very bland and average—reminded me of Muir Glen organics—okay at best...?

I've pretty much stopped using SM's in favor of the Cento Italian.

Have your friend check out Phoenicia Specialty Foods on Westheimer if has has not already.

CL

[toddster63]

I've pretty much stopped using SM's in favor of the Cento Italian.
CL

Are these the "Certified", or the DOP, or...?

[TXCraig1]

Are these the "Certified", or the DOP, or...?

The Cento italian (35oz can) are neither. They just say "Product of Italy"

IMHO, better than 99% of anything else out there, DOP included.

[toddster63]

The Cento italian (35oz can) are neither. They just say "Product of Italy"

IMHO, better than 99% of anything else out there, DOP included.

Thanks for the tip... RobynB just recommend an Italian market over the hill in the Silicon Valley, 30 miles away, that  I want to check out; and I think they might have them... Love trying new tomatoes...

[PortMoodyFoodie]

Strianese are simply one of the best DOP your are going to find!

Craig that is a great price for the 28oz, we pay over 5.00 up here in Vancouver.