Where to get sour cream if you live in Trieste

I decided I wanted to do a series on SUBSTITUTIONS. We all know that, contrary to Italian belief, ALL peoples like to eat GOOD FOOD. Italian food is pretty good, but it doesn't include Sour Cream, and that is a pretty big problem for a lot of us foreigners.

So, if you are one of us, here is what you need to know.

Trieste doesn't use it. In fact, most Triestini will wrinkle up their button noses at the mention of PANNA ACIDA. Forgive them. They do not know any better. You cannot explain it to them and they will never learn until they go to America and decide that it is "cool" and tastes good. 

IN TRIESTE
Panna Acida. There is a little discount grocery store accross the street from the cemetary (I have already blogged about that place. It is the center of Trieste-- and You thought that was Piazza Unità. WRONG! All busses come and go and connect at the Cemetary, which is good news for Sour Cream lovers). It's next door to the flower shop. It's not the most elegant grocery store in town but the sour cream is on the back wall with the cheeses. It comes in a small yogurt-like container. The taste is okay. I think it is a little sweet, but it will do.

If you are in a bind, here is a recipe substitution. Take a package of mascarpone cheese and mix it with a large container of plain, full fat, unsweetened yogurt (read the ingredients to make sure there is no sugar in it). Mix it well as the mascarpone has a thicker consistency. I think this is the closest you can get to the real thing.

IN SLOVENIA
Kisla Smetana. Look in the yogurt section of any grocery store. The Slovenes love it and use it in sauces, on their meat, on their pizza (!!). You can always count on Slovenia for Sour Cream. We used to go to TUS but now that place seems to have upped the prices. Try Merkatur. That is where my Slovene friends get their groceries and apparently the meat is good too (if you're into that type of thing).

Remember, bread in Slovenia tastes better, too!

There you go! Enjoy your Mexican food (that you must make at home because you will not find a decent Mexican restaurant around here).

Stay tuned for news on Cilantro.