There is a little corner of the supermarket that is called "wake-ari" (for a reason) that many do not know about. On these shelves there were many items which were there "for a reason". Does your supermarket have an area like this?
Take for example these carrots. They were blackish but not bruised, nor rotten. Nothing a peeler couldn't fix. They were just "ugly". The beautiful ones were being sold for 58 yen each. I picked up these 4 for 70 yen. 4 for 70 yen! Usually you can only get 3 to a package for a price between 198 yen and 258 yen. Delicious with some dressing on it.
And this corn. They were already husked. So what? They were "naked". The ones that were "clothed" were selling for 198 yen a piece. 2 for 150 yen! Sweet, delicious I love corn steamed.Sadly, not only in the supermarket but all around, the "superficial" definitely seems to overpower "what's really inside".
Hope you have a great week.
That corn looked perfectly fine to me...here in San Diego customers will husk the corn right in the store, and dump everything everywhere.....makes a mess. You don't need to do that to check ot make sure the corn is ok.
ReplyDeleteI wish the markets I go to had produce even close to your "for a reason" section. That corn looked really good!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what Japanese markets do with the "ugly" produce. Everything in the market always looks so beautiful and unblemished. I'm glad it doesn't go to waste. I wonder if only gaijin buy them? :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how true that is. When I started buying mostly organic and local fruits and veggies a few years ago, at first I was a little off put by the way they looked until I realized they tasted better and were better for me without all the junk they do to make them look "pretty". You are so right, it is what's inside that counts!
ReplyDeleteIn the UK, the shops have a "Value" range where undersized or ugly fruit and veg are sold in bulk and at discount. They also less the less favoured apple types this way. I get most of my fruit and veg this way. I also buy "Yellow tag" items which are close to sell by date and are reduced, sometimes by 70%.
ReplyDeleteI think people in Hawaii husk their corn at the market too, Kirkk. But, I think they take what they husk (not sure though).
ReplyDeleteCorn in the summer is sweet, Lori, I'm looking forward to making more dishes with fresh corn :)
I wish more places would sell the "ugly" veggies, Franmag. I think most of the "ugly" veggies don't appear in the markets at all. I don't think only the gaijin buy these veggies, I've seen other housewives perusing the shelves :)
That is great Lyvvie! I am also a checker for the markdown items. When the product gets close to the "best by" date, they mark the prices down. I think this date is a bit strict in Japan.
Take care everyone!
Kat
Occasionally I see "second quality" fruits and vegs for a very big discount. I always scoop those up! It's weird, like how you said in the post with the cupcake disaster, that there are people in this world who aren't getting decent food, and we westernized folk are so quick to frown upon and poo-poo blemished produce. If the tables were turned....
ReplyDeleteRowena,
ReplyDeleteI wish Japan's markets would let us buy more blemished stuff, I know we would be able to help the farmers here too. I guess the tables have to turn before anyone gets a clue...
Take care.
Kat