Foods you eat when you are tired could be a whole story in itself. One common go to when tired were fancier versions of Spaghetti O's "neat round spaghetti you could eat with a spoon."
I had been a fan of the Trader Joe's version for years. You get back late from a social event or had a rough day at work. Sure the canned version wasn't as awesome as cooking actual spaghetti. There were nights when the Trader Joe's O's were very helpful.
The COVID-19 pandemic came along and the need for food when you were tired was less prevalent because we weren't going out and had more time to cook. Still, there were moments where the Trader Joe's O's were helpful.
The O's were one of several prominent foods to be purged in 2022. We have noted the 2022 loss of the Belgian chocolate pudding that was a lifesaver during the height of the pandemic.
The official Trader Joe's edict for all of the products that disappear: "Our mission is to bring you the best quality products at the best prices. To do this, we have to manage our store space smartly. If a product is not earning its spot on our shelves, then we discontinue it to make room for something new."
You might have argued that for the Belgian chocolate pudding (it was really good) but the Trader Joe's O's were popular.
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Now that we are back to being somewhat busy, go-to food when you are tired is back in vogue. Trader Joe's no longer has that option.
"Go back to Spaghetti O's. We still love you." Ugh.
Can't. Go. Back. Not even for a story. Felt some guilt buying the Trader Joe's version. Would drown in the guilt of the classic Spaghetti O's.
My loyalty to the Trader Joe's product was so strong that I never considered Annie's Bunny Pasta, set up to be a higher class version of Spaghetti O's.
Paying more money for food when I am tired is not a selling point. Cooking actual spaghetti made more financial sense, exhaustion be damned. Unlike the regular grocery store Spaghetti O's, I would try the Annie's Bunny Pasta.
Eating pasta shapes that looked like bunny heads wouldn't have had much appeal, even as a kid. I know there were different shapes in the Spaghetti O's world but short of a Google search, I would not recall those shapes. Circles do just fine.
Since most of the United States households use microwave ovens, we should be rather clear that the comparison for both is based on stovetop heating in a pan.
The Annie's Bunny Pasta sauce felt a little more adult, which translates to a little less sweet. The Trader Joe's O's were less sweet than Spaghetti O's at a comfortable level. Trader Joe's would win the sauce comparison but not by much.
The issue with Annie's is that the bunny pasta was a little too chewy. I would love to say al dente but not in that way. I enjoyed the way the Trader Joe's pasta would not require chewing. Remember, we are eating this food when we are tired.
Why Trader Joe's Stopped Selling Joe's O's https://t.co/amAnmgumg4
— Mashed (@MashedHQ) September 1, 2022
A similar experience at a similar price. That was goal of trying Annie's Bunny Pasta. For 70% of the cost of the Trader Joe O's, Annie's would be okay in a pinch. At twice the price if not more, there should be a better option.
Jacking up the Spaghetti O's to cut down on the sweetness: Canned clams or sauteed mushrooms could offset the overly sweet Spaghetti O's but that does feel like lipstick on a pig. Maybe lipstick balm like teenage girls used (still use?).
Cook spaghetti in advance: Since most of the effort is in waiting for the pasta water to boil, if you think you will be tired, cook spaghetti in advance and letting the pasta warm in whatever sauce you are making. Ideal yet not always practical. You can make that work for a lot less money.
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The pandemic changed eating patterns for a lot of people. Your humble narrator ate a lot fewer French fries. The loss of the Trader Joe's O's could steer me to cooking more, even when tired. I do mock microwave ovens but they warm up things fast. You could cook brown rice, freeze into portions, and thaw in the microwave oven as needed.
Being tired will always be a reality. What we do about that in our kitchens: we can change the dynamic. If somehow Trader Joe's brings them back, we will be back but use them less often.
photos credits: me; Trader Joe's; me
Twitter capture: @MashedHQ
