Ventresca tuna redux
There was a thread about this ingredient a year ago and the conclusion was that their is no reliable source of Ventresca tuna in Toronto.
I am wondering if the situation has changed and if someone has found a good source. I have been passively checking every food store I go too and have not found more than an odd can.
It amazes me that it cannot be more easily sourced in Toronto.
-
chefhound
Aug 23, 2009 10:13 AM
I bought some at Domino at the St Lawrence Market in the past but haven't seen it there recently. A few months ago, I picked up a few jars at Pusateri's Yorkville. It's good but I do wonder if it's $20-a-jar good. I think I paid $15/jar at Domino.
I haven't thought to do so but if you really want some, you should speak to the proprietors of Domino - they will probably get more if there is serious interest in the product. -
jayt90
Aug 22, 2009 09:11 PM
I bought a jar of white tuna (slightly pink) , packed in sunflower oil, for $4.50 at Costco Ajax. That was 3 or 4 years ago, but it was the best preserved tuna I have tasted. It is possible some Costco's with an Italian clientele may still have it. Try Vaughan or Downsview.
Last year I bought a can of Ventresca at Highland Farms, but it contained mostly dark tuna, and I couldn't finish it. Still, HF is worth checking out, as new stuff comes in.
-
There was one brand (Bertozzi) available for a while at some Loblaw stores, but they don't carry it any more. It was reasonably priced, but not really special.
Harvest Wagon had it on the shelf. I tried it once, and it was okay - better than the Bertozzi - but I didn't think it was good enough to be worth the price. I can't remember the brand name, but they might still have it.
I've never seen it anywhere else during the past year. I've looked for it at Pusateri's, McEwan, Summerhill, all kinds of little ethnic stores, and just about anywhere else I could think of.
I've wanted to try the Ortiz brand, which I've heard good things about for years. It's a Portuguese Bonito del Norte product. Despite the large local Portuguese population, it isn't available in Toronto or, I believe, anywhere in Canada. I'm surprised, given the hype, that no importer has tried out this product line.
There was one place in the US that was willing to ship it here. I can't remember the name of the website, but the price plus shipping was an absurdity. However good it might be, it's still canned tuna.
