Shopping Around

You may have some initial difficulties shopping in other than your neighborhood market but if you want to discover the price differences between cultures, you will need to shop around. The language barrier is sometimes a difficulty but generally, some staff member will speak enough English to help you find most things.

What one cuisine little values may command a premium price where that item is more desirable in their cuisine. An example are chicken wings, which are usually twice as expensive in an Asian market. That being said, chicken thigh meat is often on sale. Cuts of meat will vary too. Often steaks cut thin will be found at an attractive per portion cost that the standard super market. Many of the spices I buy a bought at an Indian market where the cost maybe only 1/3 of what you used to pay. Pepper and mustard seeds are such an example. Fish is great to buy in Asian markets where whole fish is a bargain.

Items I look for in Asian markets are plums, bananas, pineapple, oranges, bulk Chiles, fresh spinach, scallions, chives, broccoli, "aspirations" (Italian sprouting broccoli), avocadoes, and artichokes. These are often a bargain.

Don’t overlook fruit and vegetable stands. These often have fresher, better, and cheaper products many or most of which are organically grown. I get tomatoes, corn, red potatoes, beets, onions, and home raised free-range chicken eggs at local farms.

Milled products in my area are also available at the Old Mill of Guilford.

“The Mill produces all natural corn meal, grits and flour along with a wide range of mixes including:  Gingerbread Mixes, Muffin Mixes, Pancake Mixes, Cookie Mixes, Scone Mixes, Biscuit Mixes and Hushpuppy Mix.  The Mill’s signature mix is the Sweet Potato Muffin.”

This may be an interesting place to bring your grand children.