OSJL Stuff in Cans

I grew up with the good fortune of having a grandfather with a very large garden. So large, in fact, that I never had a canned vegetable in my life until college. Of course, this also meant I spent much of my childhood toiling in the fields, but whatever. OSJL has a modest collection of stuff in cans – stuff you’d probably not find in too many other places.

Go to the latest addition(s)!

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Allens Seasoned Turnip Greens:

greens

Provenance: USA!
Price: $0.89
Odd Ingredient: “Caramel Color” (Why?!)
Tagline: “Serving up Memories Since 1926″

I don’t know what those red things are in the picture on the can, nor do I know what photo-editing software they used, but as you can see, the reality of this product looks a little bit different.

However, they are delicious. Slightly over-salted, but not too bad. The fake smoke flavor they add really works here, and I rather enjoyed my turnip greens. I would have no problem serving this to my family. And you thought this review was going to be smarmy.

Verdict: Fairly Delicious

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Roland Mussels in Mango Chili Sauce:

mango

Provenance: Denmark
Price: $2.00
Odd Ingredient: “Leek”
Tagline: n/a

I love mussels. I eat them all the time and like them in a variety of ways. Butter wine sauces, tomato sauces, grilled… I like them with Asian preparations and Provencal preparations and New England preparations. I like them smoked and cold and I like them spicy and hot.

It turns out, I do not like them sweet with mango chili sauce. In fact, I hate them this way. A lot. I hope this isn’t indicative of Danish culinary tastes, as I’m about to eat at a high-end restaurant led by a Noma alumnus.

Verdict: Not so delicious

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Ocean Prince Kipper Snacks:

ipppers

Provenance: Canada
Price: $2
Odd Ingredient: none
Tagline: “Naturally smoked”

Kippers are herring. Which are like less-fishy sardines. And they are very good for you. I happen to love sardines and anchovies, but found these kippers somewhat lacking in that in-your-face fishy punch I I’m used to.

Still though, they were a fantastic home-sick-with-my-kid day lunch.

Verdict: Fairly Delicious

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Campbell’s Creamy Gouda Bisque with Chicken:

soup

Provenance: USA!
Price: $2
Odd Ingredient: “cheese blend”
Tagline: “New and Delicious”

I bought this solely because I thought it sounded gross. I’m not really a fan of gouda, and gouda in a soup sounds awful. I also figured that OSJL had cases of this stuff because it just didn’t sell.

But then I heated it up and ate it and you know what? It’s pretty good. Not really “gouda-y” but rather just “cheesy.” The black beans in it are a nice touch. So now I guess OSJL had this stuff because it is no longer “new,” so they dumped the old packaging off on my favorite store.

Verdict: Fairly Delicious

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Butterfield Farms Corned Beef:

corned

Provenance: USA! Minnesota maybe?
Price: $2
Odd Ingredient: Nothing. Just beef, water, salt and sugar.
Tagline: None
Found: Bloomfield, 9/30/14

You won’t believe this, but I don’t think I’ve ever had corned beef in my life. Certainly not my post teenage life anyway. I’ve also done a good job of shying way from canned meats of any sort. But This item was calling my name as I passed.

Oh yeah, I eat beef maybe three times per year. This better be special. I looked up online how to eat this cat food smelling (and looking) stuff. I friend two eggs with the beef next to it. Then I ate it. And it was actually pretty good. Not too salty or fatty; just kinda catfoody. Which isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Verdict: Fairly Delicious

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Allens’ Popeye Chopped Spinach:

spinach

Provenance: USA! Arkansas maybe?
Price: $1
Odd Ingredient: Nothing. Just spinach, water, and salt.
Tagline: None, but it’s got Popeye!
Found: Bloomfield, 9/17/14

This is just spinach in a can, but this company, Allens’, somehow got Popeye to shill for them. And that’s pretty cool.

The spinach was pretty good; as good as it can be coming from a can I suppose.

Verdict: Fairly Delicious

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Ranch Style Beans:

eans

Provenance: USA!
Price: $2
Odd Ingredient: Oleoresin paprika
Tagline: “Real Western Flavor”
Found: Bloomfield, 9/10/14

What does “western” taste like? And did you know that “Ranch Style’ is the brand name of these beans, not the “style?” The beans were very different from what I’m used to. There is no molasses or smoke in these at all; just sort of like sloppy joe tomato sauce tasting beans.

And they were bigger beans than our usual baked beans. Everyone in my family hated them except me. I don’t know why… they sort of brought me back to cheap Boy Scouts maybe? This brand has been around since 1935 and I liked the spice instead of the syrupy sweet we usually get with baked beans.

Verdict: Fairly Delicious

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Red Rambler Coho Salmon:

fish

Provenance: USA! Alaska!
Price: $2
Odd Ingredient: Nothing. Just salmon and salt.
Tagline: None
Found: Bloomfield, 9/10/14

Way back a few years ago some guy was buying entire flats of this stuff. I asked him if it was good. He could barely answer – “It’s fantastic. It’s from Alaska, it’s a fraction of the price elsewhere, and my dogs love it.”

Oh. And you?

“Yeah, I eat it too.” For the record, it IS fantastic and we make little salmon salad burgers with it once in a while. Just know that in this can comes a chunk of salmon. Including skin, fat, and yes, bones. It’s all edible, so just mix it all up and eat it. It’s good, and good for you.

And your dogs.

Verdict: Freakin’ Delicious

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