All I Want is Good, Italian Tomato Sauce!

Today I would like to discuss the differences between grocery stores in Spain and grocery stores in the United States. Positives and negatives. Ok. So I went shopping at Mas. Mas is a relatively cheap grocery store about two blocks from my house. About 13 euros at Mas can get you some pretty decent meals for a couple of weeks (and by decent meals I mean basically vegetarian...eggs, cheese, lunch meat, fruit, potatoes, cereal, etc.). But I am not a really a big meat eater so it does not really bother me to not have it. Though one of these days I will buy chicken and I will have to buy it in grams and kilograms...scary thought!

When I went to the grocery store today, I was in Spanish mode and thought it would be fun to start making some Spanish food (beginning with tortilla) for some of my meals. Pretty easy...just eggs, onion, potatoes, salt, pepper, olive oil and you've got a meal. BUT the eggs were not refrigerated. And side note...neither is the milk. I knew about the whole non refrigeration of various foods, but when you actually have to go buy it yourself, it is a little unsettling. I did learn to get a Spanish-English dictionary on my Kindle though so if I do not know a food in the grocery store, I whip out my Kindle and type it in (thanks to my wonderful boyfriend...I didn't know it would be useful for more than just reading)! 

Then I found some cheese stuffed tortellini. And I thought, "Good meal...pasta is always good!" It comes prepackaged...kind of like how they sell it at Wegmans. But then I spend at least 10 minutes wandering around the store. All I kept thinking was, "All I want is good, Italian tomato sauce!" But there really is no such thing. Basically all they have in the stores are thicker versions of tomato soup that you can heat up and pour on the pasta. Some have chunks of tomato in it. But actual basil, garlic, chunks of tomatoes all cooked together in a pot and later put in a jar does not exist here. Or at least does not exist in my grocery store. It was an adventure...let me tell you!

And then as I got in line, I listened as the two Señoras in front of me we arguing over paying for two bags of potato chips. The one offered to pay for both but the other wasn't having it. So I stood in line for 5 minutes as the cashier and I looked at each other laughing as these Señoras argued over paying. I think the Señora who offered to pay for both ended up winning.   

Another interesting fact about the grocery stores is that they charge you 30-60 cents for each plastic bag you use. So whenever I go to the store, I always have to remember to bring my recyclable bag! And I have found that every day in the grocery store is a new adventure!