Where can I find fresh tamarind?

[mrslloyddobler]

I need to find fresh tamarind for a tamarind chutney recipe. I've tried Wegmans - Collegeville and Assi, to no avail. Any other ideas?

[watercress]

Hmmm.. I was going to suggest those places, since I've seen it there before. You might try another Asian or Hispanic market if there is one near you. If that fails, since it's for chutney (which is generally cooked to a semi-mush anyway), might you be able to use one of those tamarind bricks of compressed flesh and seeds? Might be easier to find.

[mrslloyddobler]

You're right, I should be able to get away with those bricks. I basically need to squeeze the water out of the tamarind mush and add the other ingredients to the mush. Guess I'll have to make a special trip into Chinatown or Wash. Ave. Or maybe I'll cheat and buy a pint of chutney from Taste of India =)

[Boognish]

Believe it or not, the local fresh produce truck at 44th and Sansom sells it. I saw some there yesterday.

[mrslloyddobler]

Unfortunately that area is completely out of the way for me. I think I've heard of that truck though. Does it sell all of its bagged produce for $1 a pop?

[Boognish]

Pretty much! I don't think there's much of anything that's more than a dollar.

Thought I'd mention it just in case you're in the area. It's similar to Italian Market produce in that you have to use it in a day or so, but if you need that small bag of lemons or bunch of scallions, it's there for you! They must sell a lot of tamarind, because I see it there very often.

[categorialnovum]

Asian markets are your best bet. I know i've seen it recently at a place called Sun Seng on route 38 just over the ben franklin bridge. The reading terminal market or somewhere in china town in philly (right next to each other) should have it. Its a little bit of a hike from collegeville, though. If you can find an asian market of decent size closer, that should work.