Bonne Maman Rhubarbe for cheap?

[peelmeagrape]

When I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago, I had a little time to kill before catching a train and decided to poke around in a little convenience/grocery store down the street from the Gare du Nord. I was shocked by how cheap some of their jams were and couldn't resist picking up a jar of Bonne Maman rhubarb jam (as well as a peel-top can of Clement Faugier crème de marrons). I've seen both these at my local Whole Foods for relatively major money (something like $8 and $12 respectively). At this little store in Paris, the jam was 1.25 euros and the spread not much more.

Anyway, now I'm hopelessly addicted to downing Bonne Maman Rhubarbe with fresh ricotta, but my reserves are dwindling fast! The combo is so sweet-creamy, slightly-chewy...I simply must have more! Can anyone help me feed my dependency on the cheap in the Boston area? If necessary, I suppose I'll have to shell out at Whole Foods, but I'm pretty sure my local small WF doesn't even have the rhubarb flavor (maybe they have it at bigger WFs?) Any report of rhubarb-flavor sightings (be they cheap or, I guess, pricey) would be much appreciated.

[Delucacheesemonger]

While l have seen them only in France, the Bonne Maman company also makes a confiture called fruitees intense which are preserves with far less sugar and thus more flavor. The rhubarb is my fav of those.

[shaebones]

It's on sale @ Market Basket this week 2 for $6

[peelmeagrape]

Not at the one in Somerville. They do have Bonne Maman jams on sale, for the price you mention, but they only have strawberry, blueberry and raspberry, which are flavors that are available at pretty much any grocery store. Disappointing.

[pinehurst]

Absolutely hit or miss, but I've found Bonne Maman at places like Ocean State Job Lots and Big Lots. Can't recall the flavors off the top of my head beyond my go-to marmalade.

[peelmeagrape]

I'm amused to see this nearly 5 year-old thread I started resurrected. I never did find the rhubarb flavor here, though wild blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and even fig Bonne Maman are easy to find. (Most recently at my local Roche Bros.)

[BostonZest]

It looks like you can get it in Canada if you are going to be up there, or want to order from this Canadian firm.
http://www.edelweissimports.com/bonne-maman-rhubarb-jam-pr-459.html

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

[wea74]

There are 2 Bonne Maman rhubarb products - jam and compote. You can get the jam at Edelweiss, but the compote - forget about it!

[Allstonian]

Where is Edelweiss?

[miiki5760]

I've been following it and yet to see the rhubarb. Momentarily excited about Market Basket find but not @ the Somerville store. Much different- sweet to sour, but Harvest Co-op and Prospect WF has Maman's Fig Jam.

[smtucker]

Even my favorite French importer doesn't carry this flavor, however, I would not be at all surprised if they would order it for you. Their prices are always reasonable, and if you order a sufficient quantity, the shipping is too.

http://www.levillage.com/Search.bok?c...

[miiki5760]

You could try Cardullo's. I like Bonne Maman for Marmalade. I don't remember seeing a rhubarb around for a long time. I think WF and maybe Harvest used to carry. The recipe contributed here is pretty handy. Easy to make. I haven't thought of rhubarb in a long while. with spring around the corner....i feel inspired! Thanks peelmeagrape!

[herie]

Did you ever find where to get Rhubarbe? My wife and I have been on the hunt for more than 10 years. I am not willing to pay the exorbitant shipping cost should I buy it from European based stores. Any information will be much appreciated! Thanks!

[BostonZest]

I just picked up a jar of Rhubarb jam at Wilson Farms. - 10 oz. for $2.79 and very tasty. It is right in with all their own jams and jellies.

[galleygirl]

Bear Pond farm Pesto does a Rhubarbeque sauce that's more like a rhubarb chutney...I've seen it at Whole Foods.

[KLenane]

Tried the Rhubarbeque Sauce. Saw it demo'd as a dip for cubed, sharp cheddar cheese. Quirky. Good!

[winedude]

Don't know if you're still on a quest for this, but an internet search yielded this source for Rhubarbe jam.

http://www.gourmet-oregon-jams.com/go...

[wilmagrace]

I dont think you have to go to paris, they have lots of bonne maman jams cheaply priced in montreal supermarkets but havent checked for rhubarb, I know my daughter who lives in Boston was delighted to find their fig jam in a speciality grocery store on laurier ave. as it reminded her of breakfasts in Europe.

[garch]

I was in Paris recently as well and bought Bonne Maman La Rhubarbe, Fruitee Intense, at a supermarket. 60% rhubarb! Delicious fruit taste, not too sweet, reasonably priced, but it's going fast. Can't find anything on the internet about it, but will check so-called gourmet supermarkets in my area (OC, Calif), including Whole Foods. Cheers.

[silver queen]

What about Marty's liquors in Newton? They carry a lot of jams, and they might order it for you if they don't have it. Marty once told me that a lot of the food stuff they carry is based on customer recommendations.

[Science Chick]

They definitely have a nice supply of Bonne Mamon, as well as Sarabeth's and others. Might be a good bet. Sounds awesome.....now you're going to have me looking for it too! ;)

[gini]

From what I understand, Bonne Maman doesn't ship/carry that flavor in the states.

I would highly suggest shipping some from France or finding a substitute here. Or you could make your own.

Good luck!

[madcow]

I found this on Zucchini and Chocolate..

Confiture de Rhubarbe

- 1.2 kg rhubarb (1 kg when trimmed)
- 800 g sugar
- the juice of a lemon

(Makes 4 jars if you're using the Bonne Maman size)

Rinse the rhubarb, trim the ends, halve the stalks lengthwise and dice. Use young and slender green stalks, and don't peel them, to keep the rhubarb chunks whole.

Combine the rhubarb pieces, the sugar and the lemon juice in a ceramic or glass dish, cover with parchment paper, and let rest overnight.

In the morning, the sugar will have drained the juice out of the rhubarb. Put a saucer in the freezer. Wash the glass jars and their lids carefully, then soak them in boiling water for 10 minutes, and set them out to dry upside down on a clean kitchen towel.

Pour the rhubarb mixture through a sieve. Bring the syrup you've gathered to a boil, cover and let it boil for five to ten minutes. The goal temperature, if you have a candy thermometer, is 110°C (230°F).

Add in the rhubarb, bring back to a boil and let simmer for five to ten more minutes, stirring gently from time to time.

Take the saucer out of the freezer, and put a drop of jam on it. Tilt the saucer, and see if the jam is set. If not, let it boil for another minute, then test again until you've reached the desired consistency.

Pour the jam into the jars until they are full, wipe carefully if there was any spillage and close the lids tightly. Let cool to room temperature upside-down on the counter, then store in a cool and dark place for a few months.

Disclaimer! This jarring method (boiling the jars then closing them tightly and letting them cool upside down) is one that's been commonly practiced in France for generations and generations.

[PennyC]

I can't resist an internet search. I found a possible substitute in Cambridge at Formaggio Kitchen on Huron.

http://formaggio-kitchen.com/shop/pro...

I think I would call before I went over but it might help with the craving. Of course this was the one on their website. They may have something else in the shop.

You could also check to see if some of the local farms produce one that is just rhubarb. I'll check my farmers for you. You could call Verrill and Wilson farms and ask them.

[tweetie]

Market Basket in Burlington carries the Bon Marman line with several flavors but not rhubarb.(I checked on Tuesday) Maybe if you ask they can get it for you.

[peelmeagrape]

Thanks maryv and PennyC for checking Pemberton Farms and Dairy Fresh for me. I did a quick web search and but didn't find a source. I think I might start making the rounds of some of the area Whole Foods. Either that or find some way to take another trip to Paris! Maybe Americans don't tend to be big rhubarb fans and that's why no one here seems to sell it....

[maryv]

errrr, I was looking for Bonne Maman Raspberry at the Fresh Pond Whole Foods, and they didn't have any Bonne Maman at all. :(

If you *really* like it, I wonder if Pemberton's could special-order a case for you?

[PennyC]

I checked Dairy Fresh in the North End today and they don't even carry the brand anymore. I thinkt they have opted for a deeper line of Stonewall Kitchen.

[peelmeagrape]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I guess I'll get on the phone to these places.

[maryv]

I checked Pemberton Farms. I didn't see Rhubarb on the Bonne Maman shelf (fifteen or twenty other kinds, though). They did have "Mother's" Blubarb preserves, if that helps.

Maybe you can find a website selling the Rhubarb flavor?

[tweetie]

Christmas Tree shops often have Bonne Maman in stock. Trappist Preserves also has a strawberry rhubarb jam.

[maryv]

I go to Pemberton Farms in N. Cambridge pretty often. They have a bewildering array of preserves, including Bonne Maman - I'll check for Rhubarb the next time I'm there.

[PennyC]

You could try Russo's in Watertown. They carry the brand but I don't know about rhubarb.

[peelmeagrape]

Could it be that they stopped carrying it? I hunted all over for it on my own (the layout of packaged goods there is frustratingly random) and couldn't find any Bonne Maman products. When I asked an employee, she said they don't carry the line. If you've seen it recently, whereabouts in the store was it?

[PennyC]

I think I saw it near the registers under the nearest produce counters. There is a lot of Stonewall and a few other brands. If you turn your back to the registers and scan below those counters facing you, you should see all the jams and jellies.