Calm before the storm

Seattle seemed a bit subdued yesterday, but an enormous parade is planned for Wednesday morning, with upwards of 250,000 spectators expected. Seahawk Day hasn't been declared an official holiday, but almost.

After all the indulgence of Sunday (steak, crab, plenty of wine) last night seemed like a good time for a vegetarian dinner, like tricolor pasta with grilled vegetables and garlic bread.

Along with 50 pound sacks of rice and gallons of olives, Costco sometimes has unusual (OK, weird) products like these jars of grilled vegetables (from Peru!)  Sliced eggplant, squash, peppers and artichokes floating in oil.  It's the type of thing you would see on a dusty shelf at Big Lots.

Costco doesn't have everything, but what they do stock tends to be good quality.  The problem is local chefs and restaurant owners snatch up and hoard the bargains, like Tuscan olive oil and saffron.  So when I went back, the grilled vegetables were gone.  They are probably showing up on fancy panini sandwiches around town.

If you ever see "Del Destino" brand on the shelf at Big Lots, don't be afraid to buy it.