ISO La Valle tomatoes in New Mexico

[finlero]

Anyone know of any import stores that sell these amazing tomatoes? They really stand above the rest. Not cheap, but certainly worth it.

[finlero]

Funny how coincidences can happen -- after five months of fruitless searching, stumbled upon cans of La Valle at two spots in Albuquerque this weekend.

* Talin World Market carries them, in addition to probably a half dozen other brands imported San Marzanos. More broadly, I was really impressed with Talin's selection from around the world, returning home with dried dashi soup stock, mirin, sesame oil, and orange blossom water. And better still, for each of the above, I had my pick of several different brands and sizes.

* Oddly enough, Cost Plus had La Valle as well, although I'm guessing they won't be there for very long, as inventory changes so quickly. Good price though, under $3 for a standard medium can.

[DebitNM]

I love Talin! Have you had there take out roast duck? OMG - delish. Just make sure you get it either 1/2 or whole; don't let them hack it up into dozens of unrecognizable pieces.

Which Cost Plus?

Do you use these for pasta sauce or what?

[finlero]

Haven't tried the roast duck, but I'll add it to my ABQ must-try list, and will be sure to ask them to leave it intact. Thanks!

I saw the La Valles at the Cost Plus on Menaul. I use them for any dish that uses canned tomatoes, from a marinara sauce to a Moroccan zalouk salad. Seemingly every top-notch Neapolitan pizza place in the country uses them for their raw tomato sauce that goes on a pizza margherita. I most recently spotted them at the excellent Pizzeria Bianco in PHX.

[DebitNM]

I am on westside, so will try there. They sound delish! Thanks.

[scottso]

I teach cooking classes at Ta Lin and can tell you that Victor and his crew are excellent at ordering anything they don't carry. They've ordered foods, flowers, wines and even equipment and hard goods for me and my students. If they don't have it they'll try their best to get it for you.

[DebitNM]

I was at Ta Lin last week and was looking for Truffle Oil. There was none on the shelf and although I saw a sticker for it, there was no evidence that it was any where around. I asked several people about it and no one could give me any info and no one offered that it could be ordered. I love the roast duck but finding things on the shelf seems often to be very hit or miss, and more often miss than hit.

[scottso]

Ask for Victor at customer service and he'll often help you out. There was no fresh Thai basil today and after speaking to Victor. Like a magic... it appeared.

[DebitNM]

Thanks, good to know.