How To Feed A Foodie for $10

So you may be wondering, what kind of snacks did we serve Ines and Santiago during their visit? Did with pass the test...or come off looking like Velveeta-cheese-eating Americans? Since we knew we'd have to raise the white flag on the wine selection, food was now our only chance to redeem ourselves. But we needed help - that much was clear. So we set off to consult with the two very friendly proprietors of Salumeria Cuneo, the neighborhood meat and cheese deli located right around the corner from our building. (All told, the trip to their store took about one minute, and most of that involved waiting for the elevator). They were delighted to help and full of suggestions. In the end, we walked away with the following items.

A small wheel of Camembert cheese, which is similar to Brie in texture. (Cost 12 pesos, or $4 USD).



A 12-inch roll of "Fuet de Tandil" salami, which is about the size of a quarter in diameter. (Cost 8 pesos, or $2.60 USD).

A package of "linguini," which in Argentina refers not to pasta but to thin slices of crispy bread, and an accompanying spicy cream cheese to dip it in. (Cost for both, 2 pesos, or $0.66 USD). They even loaned us a small dish for serving the cream cheese under the condition that we return it the next day along with a report on how the evening went. (The verdict: "Fantastico!")

And of course, we had to then swing by Dos Escudos, the "confiteria," or bakery, for some sweets. The following (from left to right) are just a few of the mini-desserts or "masas" you can pick up on every city block: flan, dulce de leche creme pastry, lemon merengue tart and tiramisu. (Cost for 8 pieces is 8 pesos, or $2.66 USD).

So what did we learn? As Matt commented afterwards, stores that focus on just one thing no longer exist in the States unless they're very high end. But here, the owner-operated small shop (whether it's bread or meat or produce) lives on, and it's awfully nice when you need an expert opinion. It also presents an entirely different way to buy and prepare your food. Instead of stocking up for the next two weeks at the supermarket, most Argentines (like Europeans) grab whatever they need to make dinner on their way home, often making several stops. That way everything is fresh and preservative-free.

Indeed, a few days ago I sent the proprietors of Salumeria Cuneo into a state of shock and horror when I asked for a half kilo of sliced "jamon cocido" (baked ham) for sandwiches. "Quantos personnes?" they demanded. "Dos," I said. Both of their heads started shaking. Although I didn't understand every word of the lecture, the message was clear. Why would I buy so much at once instead of coming back tomorrow for more? Didn't I want to eat fresh? Was I insane? I had to admit - they had a point!