I realized by about day 3 of grocery shopping that my first mistake was making a list. In the US, this was standard protocol for me, but in Spain it only causes disappointment and eventual exhaustion. See, back in Chicago, I could start my shopping at Aldi and check off as much as possible there, then pick up everything else at Trader Joe's...and maybe a couple basics at Dominick's...and one last thing at Whole Foods if I was feeling froggy. So yes, grocery voyages have always been my thing. It was always the best way to ensure I got what I wanted and for a fair price.
Well shoot, I have no idea which of these Spanish stores is akin to any of my Chi-town faves! I started at Carrefour Express and checked off a few items from my list, then moved to SimplyCity and checked off a couple more...trekked over to Lidl to check off one or two more...proceeded to Corte Inglés for a bit more....and then hit a couple fruterías before I fell out. But guess what? My list was still hella long because the bottom line is that some of these items just aren't readily available. This is about how I feel my conversation would go with the stores I visited as I moved through my grocery list:
- Sweet potatoes?
- Nah...You can try these corrugated batatas instead.
- Plain skim Greek yogurt?
- You fancy, huh? Better go shop in a rich neighborhood.
- Canned black beans?
- Gonna have to go to the Latin foods store for that.
- Jalapeños?
- Jajaja...we don't like spicy food like that. Don't play yourself.
- Kale?
- ¿Qué?
Needless to say, my list hasn't been fulfilled yet, and I know I'll find some of these things, but for now I'm adjusting and making some work-arounds, like cozying up to gazpacho in cartons to get my veggies in, pledging allegiance to acelga (chard) until I find col rizada (kale), and buying a slow cooker to make my own black beans. I probably won't shop with a list until I'm very familiar with what's available and where. My shopping will have to be based on what I want/can eat from what's available most likely, and a fair amount of trial and error. For example, I found almond milk, but it was so sweet that it was more like nutty Kool-Aid than a sub for milk. I bought mixed nuts for trail mix, but they're crazy salty.
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| eggs...right there in the corner |
In the meantime, check out some fun grocery facts...
Eggs are not refrigerated. Ever. Anywhere. Just chillin' in the corner (well, not literally, but you know what I mean). I may not be purchasing eggs the entire time I'm here. I know I've eaten unrefrigerated eggs, but I'm inordinately weirded out by this.
Milk isn't really refrigerated either. I'm down with this because it tastes good and there is a broad variety of milks available - including lactose-free milk that doesn't cost a grip.
Damn near anything nutty/trail-mixy/snacky qualifies as frutos secos (dried fruits). And oftentimes the nuts labeled as dried fruits are actually fried! Buyer beware!
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| neither frutos nor secos...discuss. |
The seafood section is just...outchea.
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| seafood is....fresh! |
In addition, I'm struggling to feel comfortable buying meat products because of dudes like this. *Diddy voice* For real? You just gon' lean on the meat counter and text? Is that what's hot in the streets?
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| are you on WhatsApp? |
Wine is so cheap. So cheap. Only slight more expensive than bottled water, which is also far cheaper than in the States.
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| vino... < $1 |
Here are some items that probably wouldn't make it in the States. I didn't even realize I have a couple of these in my home!
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| in case you didn't already feel guilty about chugging that beer. |
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| self explanatory |
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| die, milk, die! |
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| moldi bread? |
This would be an exotic foods shop.
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| 100% American |
Welp, siesta is over, and I'm heading out to buy some exotic foods! Don't judge me if I come back with graham crackers and bad canned frosting. Hasta :)
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| mmm, artificial flavors! |
lol it's like the U.S. coming out with a Chevy Nova (Mexico wasn't too keen on driving a car that translates to no go)
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