Pickles, Almonds, and Vodka, oh my!

Today's foraging was hot and hectic. As the temperature rapidly approached 100 degrees I found myself hustling all over town in preparation for weekend company, as well as tonight's dinner.

First stop was Price Chopper for basics, however the shark steaks at the fish counter caught my eye. While shark is not the healthiest fish on the list, I always tend to buy fish that just plain looks good, despite my predisposition to salmon. The shark was glistening, fresh and beautiful, and at 3.99/lb. an unbeatable price. I will make a blackening spice rub and grill them over hot charcoal. This fish looked great both at the Westmere Chopper and Westgate (a great Chopper despite what people think).

Next stop was Honest Weight. I could go on for ever about this Coop, and it really deserves a post unto itself, so I will only focus on the purpose of my trip. Spanish Marcona Almonds, from the bulk section, was my ultimate goal. So far as I know, Honest Weight is the only place in town that carries them. They are blanched and then roasted in oil and sea salt. They are very different from American almonds both in appearance and taste. They are sweet and nutty and go great with any anitpasta platter. I always serve them as an appetizer with prosciutto, cheese, almost anything, and of course wine. Cheese is another thing Honest Weight does best. Gustav, the cheese buyer, brings in the finest cheese from all over the world. Probably the best selection in the Capital District, but not the greater outlying area. I choose the brie they were sampling that day, Delice d'Argenal, a triple cream gem that oozed out of the rind and Caciotta al Tartufo, an Italian cow's milk semi-soft cheese studded with truffle. Truffle cheese stands well on its own, but if you have any left over, shave it into a cream based pasta sauce, it is pure heaven. Last but not least, I bought Guss' pickles, two tubs. The only other place I have seen Guss' pickles is when they set-up shop at the Garlic Festival in Saugerties, last FULL weekend of September every year. The new half-sours are crisp, clean, dark green and provide the crunch you want in a half-sour. Best pickle I have ever had yet. Local Snow and English peas looked great by the way, although I don't believe they were organic. The organic Mexican garlic at 5.99/lb. is worth every penny. Buy it and realize how much better, tastier, and longer lasting it is than supermarket garlic. Also in the bulk section, the organic mexican sugar is amazing. It smells like caramel and looks like finely ground ecru colored crystals (one of my secret ingredients in spice rubs for ribs).

After that I hoofed it up to All Star Wine & Spirits in Latham Farms. They have a new vodka from Ukraine called Zhitomirksa. Wall Street Journal recently rated it #1. It is a five time distilled wheat vodka and is smooth as silk! Introductory sale at All-Star puts this find at $12.99 for 750ml. A steal for this quality! If you like your vodka ice cold and straight up this is for you.

Last stop was Latham Farms Hannaford. I am addicted to the pickled garlic with hot red peppers in the serve yourself bulk olive bins near the fish counter. Doesn't taste like you are eating raw garlic at all. Crunchy, tangy and spicey. A nice alternative to olives. Another antipasta favorite, along with the pickles, almonds and cheese. I will serve all these before dinner with cocktails for my guests this weekend.

Well, that's enough foraging for one day. If you want to make your own blackening spice for the shark, go to epicurious and look it up. There are several recipes and they are all easy.