It’s been said to me that you can find just about anything you want here, provided you have 1) the tenacity to keep looking for it and 2) the means to pay for it. This is not entirely true, but you would be surprised what you can find here. Since we arrived almost a month ago, I have been searching for a canister of parmesan cheese. With tomatoes in abundance (and therefore quite cheap), spaghetti is an easy, inexpensive meal that both adults and toddlers find agreeable. But it was missing something. Where was that familiar green canister? Or for you foodies, that block of fresh parmesan to grate over our pasta?
And so began my quest. I searched in grocery stores, pharmacies, even gas stations. Wherever they stocked imported food, I was there, scouring the rows of baked beans, canned mackerel and tomato paste, hoping against hope that this day would be my lucky day. Alas, it was not to be… until last Monday, when I paid a visit to Opoku Trading, the expats’ main source for all varieties of imported foods, diapers, hair products and other grocery items.
The dairy case is one of the first things you pass upon entering the store. The case itself is roughly the size of a typical American refrigerator, and the dairy items share space with chilled juices and minerals (soda). You can usually find a small selection of European cheeses alongside some rather poor-quality cheddar from the Middle East, huge blocks of mozzarella (which can be yours for the low, low price of $55), some cartons of heavy whipping cream, butter and individually wrapped slices of processed cheese spread (think generic Kraft Singles, then double the price).
On this day, I glanced in the cheese case and stopped in my tracks. What were those white canisters on the top shelf? Could it be? Was my quest finally over? Indeed, despite the fact that the packaging was entirely in Italian, it was clear this was parmesan cheese. Today was my lucky day. I finished my shopping and headed to the checkout, flush with excitement over my new find. Fortunately, I was also flush with cash.
While a store like Opoku has fixed prices (meaning they are the same for everyone and require no haggling on the part of the shopper), they are not always prominently posted. So it was not until I was back in the car examining my receipt that I realized I had paid a whopping $10 for my precious can of cheese. I think our next canister of parmesan cheese will come from the States with my mom and brothers next month.
And so began my quest. I searched in grocery stores, pharmacies, even gas stations. Wherever they stocked imported food, I was there, scouring the rows of baked beans, canned mackerel and tomato paste, hoping against hope that this day would be my lucky day. Alas, it was not to be… until last Monday, when I paid a visit to Opoku Trading, the expats’ main source for all varieties of imported foods, diapers, hair products and other grocery items.
The dairy case is one of the first things you pass upon entering the store. The case itself is roughly the size of a typical American refrigerator, and the dairy items share space with chilled juices and minerals (soda). You can usually find a small selection of European cheeses alongside some rather poor-quality cheddar from the Middle East, huge blocks of mozzarella (which can be yours for the low, low price of $55), some cartons of heavy whipping cream, butter and individually wrapped slices of processed cheese spread (think generic Kraft Singles, then double the price).
On this day, I glanced in the cheese case and stopped in my tracks. What were those white canisters on the top shelf? Could it be? Was my quest finally over? Indeed, despite the fact that the packaging was entirely in Italian, it was clear this was parmesan cheese. Today was my lucky day. I finished my shopping and headed to the checkout, flush with excitement over my new find. Fortunately, I was also flush with cash.
While a store like Opoku has fixed prices (meaning they are the same for everyone and require no haggling on the part of the shopper), they are not always prominently posted. So it was not until I was back in the car examining my receipt that I realized I had paid a whopping $10 for my precious can of cheese. I think our next canister of parmesan cheese will come from the States with my mom and brothers next month.
3 comments:
Holy batman! $10 for a can of grated parm? WOWSERS!
I can picture you gingerly sprinkling a little atop each plate ... :)
Glad to hear you found some though -- I know spaghetti just isn't the same w/o it.
And to think I almost bought two because I was afraid I'd never find it again... Phew!
Yeah, that would have set you backa bit!
On a bright note from my world -- it only took three months and one week (to the day) of our move in before I could shower in my own home! :O
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