Like a beacon in the sky, Jungle Jim’s is a Foodie’s Paradise!

I’m sure you are like this too. Whenever you travel back home or to a city that you love, you always have a “hitlist” of local spots you have to visit before you leave.   For me, Jungle Jim’s International Market is always on the “list”.  Think about the craziest thing you would ever want to buy….duck feet? a whole pig’s head? the favorite chocolate you ate every day during your study abroad in Europe? Hot sauce called “sphincter shrinker”?  Yep, they have it at Jungle Jim’s.

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Jungle Jim’s is the perfect blend of:

1. Function (they have everything)
2. Quirk (their decorations are eclectic to say the least – check out their website for photos),
3. Adventure (there is a surprise at every corner and you WILL lose track of time exploring the expansive selection)

Our “Mangia Memior”  (what we’ll remember)

To set the scene appropriately, my father and I are both insane.  We go into a trance the moment we walk through the doors.  My mom loves food andloves the adventure, but she is along for the ride.  And poor Anthony…ahh poor Anthony.  He loves to eat, loves to cook and is definitely an adventure seeker, but unfortunately, just had jaw surgery.  This means that he can’t eat for 6 weeks.  My worst nightmare.  But Anthony is a saint and doesn’t even complain.

My dad and I wove through aisle after aisle, while mom and Ant trailed us with the cart.After an initial scattered quest, we aligned on what our “weird” menu item would be -  “cinghiale” (aka wild boar). Cincinnati was kind of chilly and a wild boar ragu would be a nice hearty meal.

To our dismay, the meat department was fresh out of cinghiale.  Said he just sold the last one and was surprised about it.  I guess all the Italians in greater Cincy had a hankerin’ for some wild boar ragu.

No wild boar, no problem.  Guanciale (pork cheek).  We could make a nice Amatriciana instead- a traditional Italian pasta sauce based on guanciale, pecorino cheese and tomato, originating from the town of Amatrice. We also purchased some baby octopus, cerignola and castelvetrano olives and rosemary bread.

For our Amatriciana recipe, click here Recipe for Amatriciana

Top 5 “MUST SEES” at Jungle Jims

1. Visit the Bathroom.  The facade is a Port-a-Potty. Hilarious. Check out this video for a real view.
2. Scope out the Seafood section.  Tons of life fish, whole fish, shellfish. Awesome.
3. Check out the Hot Sauce area.  The names alone, will cure depression.  You will laugh out loud.
4. Look Up. Look Left. Look Right.  Amazing decorations EVERYWHERE.  An Amish carriage.  A bear dressed as a singing Elvis.  A talking Campbell’s soup can.  Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest.  Where do they get this stuff?
5. Check out the produce. Bring your iPhone.  You will see fruits/veggies you’ve never heard of.  Look them up and see how to eat them.

While living in Rome, I used to go to this little family owned restaurant near my friend’s apartment at the Policlinico stop on the blue line.  Money was tight, so we ate a lot of pasta.  One of my favorite meals was Sugo all’amatriciana.  They usually served it with beautifully al dente spaghetti or bucatini.  I thought it was time to bring this dish back to the states.

My family and I visited Jungle Jim’s International market and were able to find the number 1 ingredient for Amatriciana… Guanciale (aka pork cheek).  To read more about the Jungle Jim’s adventure, click here Jungle Jim’s Post

Our “Mangia Memoir” (what we’ll remember)

I know why my dad took us to Jungle Jims.  It’s because he knew I’d loooove it. And then we’d get to come home and cook together.  In the kitchen where I grew up.  At the dining room table where we’ve had so many meals.  Nostalgia.  Food brings people together. And in my family, cooking brings you even closer.  My dad and I busted each others chops all night.  “You are doing it wrong”.  “Move over, you’re hogging the counter”.  “When’s the pasta gonna be done?!”  “What are we gonna make Jaclyn?” (Jaclyn is my brother Nick’s lady friend that is a vegetarian.  I guess pork jowl would be considered meat.)  But, busting’ chops in my family is a sign of love.  I cherish these moments.

Amatriciana with Tagliatelle Pasta

• ¾ pound guanciale sliced thin and in pieces.
• If you can’t find guanciale, you can use pancetta
• 4 garlic cloves sliced super thin.
• I like it garlicky, so you can add/subtract to your taste
• I sliced the garlic with a razor blade. Yes, alla Goodfellas.
• 1 red onion, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick.
•  Some recipes say to do it 1/2 thick, but I prefer thinner.
• 1 ½ teaspoons hot red pepper flakes.
• Obviously add/subtract based on how hot you and your guests like it.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 cups chunky tomato sauce
• 1 pound Tagliatelle or whatever long pasta you prefer
• 1 bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves only
• Pecorino Romano, for grating

Directions

1. Start a pot of water to boil for the pasta.
2. After cutting the guanciale into small pieces, put into a skillet (no extra oil) and begin to sautee.  Cook until it loses about half of it’s fat.  Do not overcook it, because it will turn into crispy pork bits.  Delicious, but not what we are looking for.
3. Remove guanciale from skillet and place onto plate with paper towels.  Pour almost all of the fat out of the pan. Reserve enough to sautee garlic and onions.
4. Add in onion and sautee until translucent. They should not have a “bite” or “crunch” to them.
5. Throw in thinly sliced garlic.  It will basically melt away into the pan. Thanks Paulie from Goodfellas.
6. Toss in the tomato sauce and simmer for about 10 minutes.
7. Add in the reserved guanciale and parsley and simmer for 5-8 minutes.
8. Add in cooked Tagliatelle pasta and let it set in the sauce for a few moments to soak up the flavor
9. Place into serving dish and grate cheese over top

The Verdict

• 4 stars
• Would You Eat It Again? Yes, for sure, but will most likely have to use pancetta instead of guanciale, since I probably won’t be able to find it in Miami, unless Laurenzo’s Italian Market has it.
• What Would You Change?  I committed a terrible offense and overcooked the pasta.  Was trying to do too many things at once.  Also, I left the guanciale in the skillet for too long and ended up with those pork bits I mentioned we don’t want.  So next time, I’d be sure to remedy these things.