ISO Fresh Edamame

[sasgirl]

I'm in search of fresh edamame that I can cook, just like the ones they serve at restaurants. My 3 year old son is a picky eater but absolutely loves edamame! :)

My SO has been to T&T in Mississauga but he says the edamame he found there was very small and we are looking for nice big fat ones. Would prefer stores in Mississauga/Brampton but don't mind any recommendations in Toronto either.

[piccola]

Just saw some today at the Dufferin Grove farmers' market.

[smfan]

Just bought and cook some fresh edamame. Pretty good. Not very big but Ontario grown. $5 for a large bowl of edamame. Thiessen Farm at North York Civic Centre Farmers Market. Thursady only. The season is very short.

[SweetSweetPotato]

Not only is the season short, but the harvest was poor this year - it may have been too wet when they planted. Get 'em while you can!

[Idas]

Front door organics delivery service has fresh edamame for delivery if you are on their program already.

[sweetie]

Bumping this thread in hopes that:
1. it is soybean season
2.are there more sources of fresh harvested soy beans?

[sasgirl]

Went to Highland Farms yesterday and got a bag of frozen edamame. Thanks for your help everyone! Will check out the farmer's markets if we have time to get the fresh ones.

[ekim256]

In the winter, I get frozen edamame at T&T. In the summer, there was a vendor at the Sick Kid's Farm'er's Market that sold them. Good luck!

[prima]

Whole Foods also sells frozen edamame.

I'm still on the hunt for Cdn-grown edamame.

I grew some the year before last, and plan to grow some again this summer, but if anyone sees frozen or fresh Cdn-grown edamame, please post!

Still haven't heard about any retailers selling Classen edamame in the GTA. http://www.classenfarm.com/

If any retailers in the GTA are reading this, Classen is currently looking for retailers to distribute their Manitoban edamame in TO and ON!

Also read online that Pristine Gourmet tried growing edamame in ON last year http://www.foodandfarmingcanada.com/2010/05/05/edamame-a-new-local-food/ , but not sure where/if they ended up selling any in the GTA, or if they'll be growing it again this summer. http://www.pristinegourmet.com/

[ibbileyta]

Fresh edamame was to be had at the Masonville farmer's market in London ON last year. Hope it comes back this year.

[Nyleve]

Just so you know, last summer I discovered that the standard, field-grown soy beans that you see everywhere taste exactly the same as any other edamame. I grew some specifically-labelled "edamame" seeds in my garden last summer and they were lovely. BUT then I snuck into a nearby farmer's field and picked a bagful and they were nearly identical. So my suggestion would be, late in August, find a farm where they're growing soybeans for animal feed and ask permission to pick a bunch. Steam them in the shell and see for yourself. It's clearly a bit of a scam the way edamame are marketed. You can easily steam and freeze them and they're practically free. In my case, they WERE free. But I do know the farmer and next summer I'll definitely ask permission if I want to pick a large amount.

[prima]

Turns out Pristine Gourmet will be growing edamame again this year. Should be ready mid-August.

[acd123]

I found some fresh, just picked edamame at the Liberty Village farmers market last summer. They were amazing steamed and lightly salted. My wife couldn't stop eating them.

[peppermint pate]

Costco sells a large box filled with mini packs of frozen edamame. Just pop one in the microwave for 3 minutes or steam, sprinkle with salt and you have an easy, quick, tasty snack. I like the convenience of the individual packages. I can't remember the price of the large box, filed with maybe 20 or so packs, but it was great value.

[1sweetpea]

Loblaw's has organic edamame in the health food section's freezer.

[sasgirl]

Thanks PP! We don't have a Costco membership but my Dad does so I'll just go with him the next time I visit my parents so I can get that. :) Hopefully the Hamilton Costco carries it!

[Kagemusha]

Frozen is it. If T&T, PAT, or Oceans is out, try Highland Farms.

[sasgirl]

Thanks Kagemusha! We will try at Highland Farms as that's our fav grocery store and we're planning to go there this week to get a birthday cake for my son. We are going to surprise him with edamame on his birthday this weekend.

[TorontoJo]

Do you mean fresh or are frozen ok? Most major grocery stores will have them in the freezer section (e.g., my local Loblaw's does).

[sasgirl]

Frozen is ok too. Thanks for letting me know they could be in the freezer section, never thought to check there. I will try our local Loblaw's to see if they have it.

[TorontoJo]

Ah good. Then you might want to revisit T&T as well and check the freezer section. Most restaurants will be serving you pre-frozen edamame, too. Just cook from frozen -- drop them into a pot of boiling, salted water (don't forget the salt!) for 5 or 6 minutes.

[sasgirl]

Thank you so much TorontoJo for the help and the quick recipe! That's exactly what we are looking for. :)

[13inches]

Most asian grocery stores sell frozen edamame, in the shell or already shelled. T&T, Oceans, Seasons, B-Trust.. I've bought from all of them. Try a few different brands until you find one you like. I steam them in a bowl in the microwave for 2 or 3 minutes then drain and toss with some sea salt. They make an excellent snack or side dish for any meal.

FWIW, I've never seen fresh edamame at any grocery store, asian or otherwise.

[sasgirl]

Thanks 13inches! Oceans is closer to us than T&T so we will stop by there tonight. And thanks for the microwave tip as well. My SO says this will be the perfect snack with his beer. :)

[TorontoJo]

Ooh, I just realized that 5 or 6 minutes is probably too long. They are already cooked, so really all you are doing is heating them up. So depending on how soft you like them, 2 - 4 minutes. :)