Pastene a substitute for Bomba?

Buxwheat · December 2008

I had the pleasure of sampling some Bomba at Eggfest (courtesy of Little Steven) and it is some good stuff. Unfortunately it is not readily available in GA, so no point in getting hooked on it. I'm visiting my daughter in MA this week and I found Pastene Giardiniera relish at a grocery store here. Has anybody tried this brand as well as Bomba and can weigh in on both? If it's a pretty good substitute, I'm going to load up before flying home. Here's a link:Pastene. Pastene products are good, I grew up using only Pastene EVOO as well as their paste and canned tomatoes. They're what my Nona cooked with, so they had to be good.

reelgem · December 2008

Haven't tried Pastene but I bought some "Deli Alpe" hot gardinera relish and it was pretty close. We also tried "Pagliacci" Italian style pepper spread and it's a definite "NO". Way to too much vinegar taste.

BoneDaddy's · December 2008

I have not tried either, but what store did you see it at?

Buxwheat · December 2008

Shaw's, not sure if I spelled that right or not, in the ethnic food section.

Little Steven · December 2008

Buxwheat,

The ingredients are a bit different.

We get Jiardinere or Giardinera here but it is usually chopped vegetables.

Steve

reelgem · December 2008

I found it in a small chain (5 stores) in Milwaukee. Haven't checked any of the large chains. I would think most stores carry it.

thebtls · December 2008

I have searched on line for la bomba but haven't found any retailers on line yet.

Sundown · December 2008

Buxwheat, where are you visiting? And, for how long?

Buxwheat · December 2008

We are in Whitinsville (Northbridge) til Wednesday. Going to the North End on Wednesday for lunch, then on to Logan for a 3PM flight.

Buxwheat · December 2008

Went ahead and bought some Pastene. Good stuff, but no comparison to Bomba. Maybe some day we can get an importer to carry it down south. Won't hold my breath, though. Then again, in the 60's there was no place to buy olive oil here, unless you wanted to buy about 6 oz of Pompeii brand (yecch).

Pastene a substitute for Bomba?

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