Aldi, part 1 of 3: the good

My connections with some of the stores I physically frequent - Aldi, Jewel, Walgreens - feel in some ways like real live relationships.  Take Aldi, for example.  I love Aldi in so many ways, and yet Aldi will do something now and then that I simply don't understand or that actually turns me off.

Today's post celebrates the sunny side of Aldi:  a sampling of the great stuff available there on a recent trip.  look for Aldi parts 2 and 3 in upcoming posts.  For more Aldi fun, see my tagcloud at right.

Aldi, part 1 of 3:  the good

grandessa hummus, in red pepper and other flavors, $1.69.  beats paying $4.99 at jewel.

you read that right - $1.49 for a 3 lb. bag of cuties.  can't beat that with a large, highly polished stick.

steamable broccoli bags, $1.09.

reggio's (brand name) dinner size pizza, $3.99.  we usually go for the cheese.  these are usually about 7 bucks at jewel.

red pepper and butternut squash soups, $1.99/qt.  i like to punch them up with sherry and a little butter or smart balance.

aldi is beanland.  all your beany needs are met here for next to nothing.

refried beans - authentic and fat-free varieties, 79 cents - part of aldi's full line of latino foods.

the eastern shore of beanland, priced from 49 to 79 cents.

priano organic imported italian bronze-cut pasta, $1.49/lb.

pineapple chunks in 100% juice, 89 cents.  useful when we've run out of fresh fruit.

did you know illinois grows nearly all this country's pumpkins? and most of them go into cans like this.

no matter how many you have, you know you need five more pairs of scissors for $3.99.

it's totally evil fake sugar and color, and at 16 cents a drink packet, i'll take it.

godiva it ain't, but it's brown and sugary and $1.19 per box of 10 packets.  this is purchased in mass quantities to use as ~ Valuable Bingo Prizes ~ on Girl Scout camping trips.

grandessa sea salt caramels, $2.99.  sweet.