Tomato Paste in a Tube???

[mglass]

On the cooking shows on TV, the chefs always use tomato paste that comes in a squeezable tube that is re-closeable, but I can only find tomato paste in a can at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and everywhere else. Then I end up wasting the rest of the can because I don't cook with it often enough. Does anyone know where I can find tomato paste in a tube in the Chicagoland area? (preferably in the city...)

[chicgail]

I never buy tomato paste in in a can because of the wastage. The stuff in a tube iseasy to find at any grocery store.

[chucktowneater]

I would second Joanw2002. I buy tomato paste in a can and freeze the leftovers in little cylinders. It really doesn't hurt the quality of the paste to freeze them.

[delk]

Just got home from the office and checked, we have Dell' Alpe brand tomato paste and Amore brand sun-dried tomato paste and pesto paste as well, all in tubes.

[brendastarlet]

I'm sure WF has Amore. It's not a bargain compared with good old Contadina, but if you only need a tablespoon, it's convenient.

[nsxtasy]

It comes packed inside an outer box, so look for a stack of long skinny boxes on the shelf (don't look for tubes or you'll miss it).

I was in Whole Foods today (Evanston) and they had it (Amore brand). It was on the shelf in the "tomato sauce and pasta" section, right next to jars of sun-dried tomatos.

[delk]

I've gotten it at both Jewel and Dominick's... search the entire "Italian Section" it's usually on a shelve somewhere, just not with other pastes.

[nsxtasy]

My local Dominick's has it (Amore brand) in the section with other tomato sauces and pastes.

[wandajune6]

I've always bought it at Italian grocery stores too. Caputo's is good and I vaguely remember seeing it at Treasure Island.

[mglass]

Thanks for all the responses! I've looked a couple times at WF and TJ's but I will look again. :) And joanW2002 - thanks for the freezing tip! That's a good thing to know! :)

[nsxtasy]

It's pretty widely available. Are you *sure* they don't have it at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods? I could swear I've seen it at WF, at least.

[joanW2002]

Here's a tip my Mother gave me years ago. After using some tomato paste, scoop out the rest in 1 tablespoon measures and put on a plate. Put plate in freezer. When they are hardened, pop them into a zip-lock bag, Place in freezer and use as needed.

[Berns]

well, I just put the whole can contents into a small ziplock sandwich bag. then ... press out all the air and press flat. you can then break off any portion in the frozen state and use as needed.

[gordeaux]

Probably costs too much, but they have it at Williams Sonoma too.

[rubinow]

Italian grocers have it, I think. Caputo's and Bari Foods, for example.

[ChiTownCat]

I've seen the tomato paste tube at TJ's...but that was a while ago. Not sure if they still carry the tube version. Maybe you could check a speciality food shop or even the Chopping Block...