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A year in a French market: The great pumpkin
By Ann | December 10, 2009
How much would you pay for a can of pumpkin? You know, a 16 oz can of Libby’s solid-pack pumpkin? A lot, it turns out, if you live in Paris.
I don’t like to complain about Parisian prices too much, because Paris is a world capital and world capitals are expensive. But, tasked with making a pumpkin pie for a Thanksgiving pot luck, my hair almost stood on end from sticker shock.
But first, there was the task of actually locating a can of pumpkin. In true French fashion, the shops had everything except the one thing I actually wanted. Karo syrup? Fluff? Natural peanut butter? Yes. Canned pumpkin? No.
I know, I should have made my own pumpkin purée. But, I was rushed and preferred to spend my free time watching Poirot mysteries with my husband, who was home for the holiday, rather than roasting a hunk of orange squash and mashing it to a pulp. (Also, in my defense, I’ve found that pie made from a fresh pumpkin just doesn’t taste the same as one made from canned.) Anyway, as it turns out, I probably expended more energy visiting five different stores than I would have cooking one chunk of pumpkin.
I finally tracked a can down at a store in the 4th named, appropriately, Thanksgiving. They sell American groceries like Stove Top stuffing, chocolate chips, Crisco and Philadelphia cream cheese. I’d say I was happy to finally have the Holy Pumpkin Grail in my clutches, but I did shell out 4.20€ for the privilege.
I thought I’d overpaid, but a few days later, at that fancy food mart, La Grande Epicerie, I realized I’d found a bargain. Because I saw this:
Canned pumpkin. For. Eight. Euros. And. 25 centimes.
I think I’ve just thought up my next get-rich-quick scheme.
Topics: A year in a French market: Autumn |
6 Responses to “A year in a French market: The great pumpkin”
Comments
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December 10th, 2009 at 7:45 am
that is crazy. i wonder if the inflated prices have to do w/ the fact that en principe we have a “pumpkin pie” (canned) shortage here in the U.S. i was actually unable to find any at the first store i went to the week of thanksgiving–a huge store–they just shrugged and blamed it on the dire shortage!
December 10th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Ridicule! Screw pumpkins (no please, not literally), I want to see some of those yummy savory cookies!
My favorite thing to do with pumpkins is roast them, and them puree them into sweet soup. That is the best thing about heating your home with a wood burning stove, all the roasting privileges.
December 11th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Expensive or no, the pie wound up being delicious, topped with a dab or three of creme fraiche. But I wonder what French items cause French people sticker shock when they go shopping in the United States? Certain wines? Perrier? Evian? I also wonder if Michelin tires are cheaper in Clermont-Ferrand than in Detroit.
December 11th, 2009 at 1:59 am
I’m glad Chris found your hunt was worth the effort and the expense! Does pumpkin pie exist in any French bakery? Anything remotely similar?
December 14th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Heather — It has actually been confirmed to me (granted, via Twitter) that Chicago-area floods decimated the year’s pumpkin crop! Hence the astronomical prices and empty shelves. Pumpkin really is the new Holy Grail!
Lee — How do you roast with your wood-burning stove? Where do you put the food? Curious. Side note — can you imagine a pumpkin turning on a spit?
Chris — If memory serves, I think French cheese is more expensive in the States. And crême fraîche!
Dad — French people are not big fans of pumpkin pie. I made one last year for some French friends and they were decidedly lukewarm about it. Actually, I think pumpkin is more generally used in soups or savory dishes, rather than desserts.
January 19th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
One of my presents to a (now grownup, married, and with kids) high school French penpal was an American cookbook with lots of diagrams; and a boxload of “basic” foodstuffs, U.S.-size metal measuring cups and spoons, spices and oddities needed to make them.
Her kids now love cornbread and pumpkin pie. I think I sent a can of pumpkin, along with ground cloves (they seem to be mostly whole in France). They’ve nicknamed the pumpkin pie “le gateau des sorcieres” (the witches’ cake).
It is weird that they have marshmallow fluff in France…imported of course.