Don't forget about your asian markets!

[Spectatrix]

I was getting a little frustrated lately because avocados have been so expensive... $1.50-2 for a large one these past few weeks. I use them for guacamole and nori rolls, but didn't want to pay so much.

Anywho, today I took a trip down to a large ethnic grocer in town (oriental, Indian, Mexican, etc.) and ended up getting a pack of 11 medium-sized avos for only $2.50! Woohoo!

So this is just a little reminder... if produce prices are getting high, check out ethnic grocery stores in your area. Not only might they have the expensive stuff for cheaper than the usual stores, they usually have exotic produce that you'll never see in a regular grocery store, like baby bananas, cherimoyas, daikon radish, durian, prickly pear, etc!

[Veganforlife]

That's right! Thanks for the reminder!!!

[codajess]

The only ethnic grocer that I know of in my area is a Mid-Eastern place. I get my olives there. Pitted kalamata for $4.99 a lb. They also have bulk seasonings and grains. I got sesame seeds there for pretty cheap, too. I got a pound of strawberries for $1.49 (not organic.) and I got some earthbound farms romaine hearts for $1.89 for a bag. I usually buy the pre-cleaned/trimmed earthbound stuff in the plastic containers at Meijer. They were $2.99. Last time I went they went up to $3.19. So although I have to clean these romaine hearts, $1.89! I got a ginormous eggplant for $1.32. It was 79 cents a pound, I believe. Which, by the way, I have zero idea what to do with, lol. I just remember seeing a couple things on here where people mentioned being temporarily infatuated with eggplants. I've never liked (cooked) eggplant. So I'm gonna give it a raw try. Just gotta find the best looking recipe on here, and get to makin' it!

[luckitri]

I never see avocado in the Asian markets I go to in Phoenix area but they do have great stuff I can't get anywhere else.

[juliebove]

Hmmm... I've not had much luck at Asian markets. Not with produce anyway. When I lived in CA, my Thai neighbor told me to go to a store in Oakland because she bought all of her produce there. I did go there. They had only a small refrigerated case and the rest was done up in boxes on floor stacks. Flies and fruit flies were buzzing all around and much of what I saw was overpriced or past its prime. I did try there on several occasions, thinking that perhaps I'd come on a bad day. Never did buy any produce there. I simply refuse to buy it if it isn't totally fresh looking, at least if it's to be eaten raw. I have been known on occasion to buy something like a pepper that has a mushy spot on it for a cooked recipe only if I simply can't find a good one anywhere.

I did find some good deals on other things at the Asian market like oddly shaped bowls and serving pieces, soap and even things you wouldn't think they'd have in there like white bread and milk.

We have a Mexican market in a neighboring city here that I'm very curious about. I think they are labeled as a fruit and vegetable market. They always have huge piles of onions outside and I love onions! I really want to go there but it seems the only time I'm ever around there is when my dad is driving. He has no patience whatever and won't give me a few minutes just to look around in there. There have been some Tiendas here closer to home, but they had very little in the way of fresh produce and their prices were through the roof!

Now the International district in Seattle might be another story. I used to love going to Uwajimaya, but I didn't necessarily buy produce there. I did buy some beautiful blue and white rice bowls that were used merely for decoration and never for rice, some lovely incense and a little carved wooden turtle with a bobble head.

[Spectatrix]

I do admit that I've been to a couple of Asian markets where I wouldn't buy the produce. However, the one I go to here in Albuquerque is fairly large and their produce, while mostly not refrigerated, has always looked fresh.

[Pierre]

There are two Asian markets near me where I can get gai lan (Chinese broccoli - actually a variety of kale picked when it's in bud), yu choy (oil cabbage, of which canola is a variety), sherlihon (also spelled xuelihong - Chinese mustard greens) and some vegetables I don't know how to identify. There are also bagged bamboo shoots, of various species, but these I've found out aren't raw. One of the stores had green garlic.

[veganman]

Has anyone had luck finding organic stuff at Asian markets? I haven't ever seen it, but might be going to the wrong ones.

[Spectatrix]

I don't think I've ever seen organic at Asian markets, but I'm not usually looking for it either.

[Bingka]

I just purchased about 10 avo's t a thai market that are organic. They didn't have signs aying that but they all had the #9 sticker....price is 3 for a $1

Ken

[julesmoz]

Spectatrix -

Hello to a fellow Albuquerquean! I just moved here, and have had a hard time finding the best places for affordable produce. Which Asian market do you go to, and where is it located? What other great places have you found?

Last Saturday I discovered great prices on olives at the Mediterranean store on Wyoming and Indian School.

Do you know any other raw fooders here?

[Spectatrix]

julezmoz -

There are a few other people from Albuquerque on this board, but I've never met any of them.

The asian market I was referring to is Talin Market, located at Central & Louisiana. I usually shop at John Brooks at Zuni & San Mateo, but Wild Oats is good, as is La Montanita (a co-op): http://www.lamontanitacoop.com/. There's also a Trader Joe's, though I've never been there... I believe it's at Paseo del Norte & Wyoming or thereabouts.

[Conscious Midwife]

I go to:

Barakas (Middle Eastern Baker/ grocer) for awesome seasoning, raw almonds slivers (?), dates, plus they occasssionally carry awesome veggies from the Amish farmers that prepare their Halal/ KAsher meats.

My local Farmers Market has an Asian grocer who carries ripe ready to eat now avacados for like 50Cents . I eat them straight out the peel when I am shopping around the market.

I also get huge eggplants for 2for$1
and great prices on other stuff.

After attending a few meetings at my local Ag Ext. and hearing presentation by organic ceritfiers, I"M NOT IMPRESSED. Yes organic is my preference but there is nothing VEGAN about the process when you think about it!!! So we are still in harms way.

Plus according to the regulations a farmer can sell up to $5000/ year of produce and label it as organic without having to go thru certification.

[SwishTN]

Are you talking about the Farmers market down off of 8th, or the one in Franklin?

Thanks!

PS - where is Barakas?

Lauri

[Conscious Midwife]

Hey SWISH

BArakas is in a plaza at the intersection of Nolensville and Bell Road tucked away in a corner. From the street you will see gold's Gym and Walmart, all the other buisnesses have tourquoise colered awnings/ toppers (?)

I go to Farmers Market on 8th Ave. maybe 2x/month.
Will probably visit the Franklin one soon. I heard there is a pharmacist there that does herbal compounding on site.