On CHECKBOOK's survey of consumers, QFC received the highest overall quality ratings among the big four chains and Albertsons received the lowest. For "overall quality," 61 percent of QFC's customers rated it "superior," compared to 52 percent for Safeway, 50 percent for Fred Meyer, and 36 percent for Albertsons.

For overall quality, and for quality of fresh produce, several small operators-including Ballard Market, Central Market, Greenwood Market, Haggen, and Metropolitan Market-scored very high on CHECKBOOK's survey of consumers. All were rated "superior" overall by 90 percent or more of their surveyed customers.

Despite an economy rife with layoffs and demolished retirement accounts, Cucina Fresca hasn't seen a decline in the number of consumers willing to pay $9 to $10 for 20 ounces of frozen macaroni and cheese.

The mac-and-cheese line, introduced last year, is more than a nicely packaged children's meal.

For one thing, Cucina Fresca's "macaroni" is actually penne pasta, and it comes in three fancy cheese flavors: Gorgonzola, creamy fontina and smoked Gruyere. A sharp white cheddar version is in the works.

The smoked Gruyere is already one of the company's best sellers, rivaling its fresh tomato vodka sauce.

You know it's a gimmick, right?

In that case, I can tell you that if you run over to Metropolitan Market (100 Mercer St.) at lunchtime (today, Feb. 27) you can try out Jones GABA, the new "functional beverage" from Jones Soda, a.k.a. a "tea juice beverage." The Jones folks claim it "improves mental acuity and relieves stress" through "the natural form of the amino acid PharmaGABA," which I cannot parse for you, because it sounds like a natural form of an artificial form of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is naturally produced to start with.

Spending or Saving at the Grocery Store

Consumers' Checkbook evaluated prices at local grocery stores. They quantified how much more or less a family of four spending $150 per week* would pay per year for groceries depending on where they shopped.

Weighing in at nearly 400 calories, a paczki (pronounced poonch-key) is a delicious, cake-like, deep-fried, cream- or fruit-filled doughnut that puts the fat in Fat Tuesday.

Yummy, naughty and decadent, the glazed or sugar-topped treats were brought to the United States by Polish immigrants and are traditionally consumed during the week before Lent, when it's common to purge the kitchen of temptations like eggs, sugar and fatty foods.

Paczki are immensely popular in Polish communities, such as Midwestern states like Michigan, which often sponsor paczki-eating contests. In fact, says Metropolitan Market's Darrell Vannoy (who once worked for a large Midwestern grocery chain), these celebrations represent "the biggest bakery event for Midwest bakeries -- bigger than Mother's Day and Valentine's Day."

This year, Metropolitan Market is bringing the paczki to the masses with its first annual Paczkipalooza, which culminates on Feb. 24 -- Fat Tuesday -- with a paczki-eating contest. One employee from each store and the corporate office will compete in a five-minute "all you can eat" paczki face-stuffing at the Admiral store in West Seattle. The contest starts at 11 a.m. and will feature festive Polish music, samples and a human-sized paczki mascot.

Throughout the promotion, the six Metropolitan Market bakeries will sell three flavors of paczki ($1.49 each, four for $5.99): a granulated-sugar-coated paczki filled with raspberry; a powdered-sugar-coated paczki filled with lemon; or a glazed paczki filled with Bavarian creme.

Meet "paczkis" (pronounced "POONCH-keys"). They're a Polish donut, traditional on Fat Tuesday as Polish Catholic homes' kitchens were cleaned out of all the bad gluttonous stuff you're not supposed to have around for Lent. They're also on sale at Metropolitan Market - and a big crazy event was staged late this morning at the Admiral store to start a new Fat Tuesday tradition. It was supposed to be a paczki-carrying race around the store, and eating contest, but the morning rain forced a change in plan - eating contest only. Competitors came from all around the locally based Metropolitan Market chain; when they were done stuffing their faces, there was a tie, so there had to be an "eat-off" featuring the coaches who'd been cheering the original paczki-eaters on - here's the entire one and a half minute "eat-off" (the guys in referee shirts, by the way, are Metro Market top brass):

Paczki are Polish donuts. Bomboloni in Italy, Berliner in Germany, Krapfen in Austria (and Sicily, of all places). And in the Midwest, they're the food of Mardi Gras, a time to raid the larder and get rid of all things sugary and delicious. (Mo Rocca filed this report on the phenomenon last year for CBS.) Pronounced poonch-key, they come in plain, raspberry, and cream-filled. Metropolitan Markets, the chain of six local grocery stores, is baking them in-house this month and selling them for about $1.50 apiece.

To promote the product, they staged an in-house paczki-eating contest today at the Admiral Way store. The original plan was to include a sort of pancake race around the building, but that was called off because of weather. What was left? A traditional stuff-your-face eat-off between assorted beefy guys, which yielded no clear-cut winner. The judges conferred, then announced a runoff: an eat-off between store and bakery managers. Surprisingly, no contestant could eat more than five. Amateurs!

Metropolitan Market brings Paczki (pronounced "Poonch-Key') to the Northwest for a limited time in celebration of Fat Tuesday, available only until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at all Metropolitan Market bakery departments.

This treat is deep-fried, often sugar-dusted and always filled in the center with a fruit or creme filling. Met Market's are filled with raspberry, Bavarian creme or lemon, and are $1.49 each or $5.99 per 4-pack.

The Paczki celebration concludes with a bang with a Paczki Eat & Race Contest that takes place Fat Tuesday morning, Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Metropolitan Market Admiral location.

As Metropolitan Market's version of the "Paczki Challenge" (details below): Watch as store team members burn--and then earn--those calories! Contestants will run around the building, and the first one to cross the finish line having devoured the most Paczki gets the glory. Music and a Paczki mascot are part of this public fanfare.

WHEN: Fat Tuesday morning - Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Metropolitan Market Admiral location

Paczki details: A festive Fat Tuesday tradition, Paczki is an internationally cherished treat originating in Europe, reaching cult-like status in the Midwest and catapulted to popularity in the U.S. by Polish immigrants. Some might liken it to a jelly doughnut, but in the Midwest, Paczki reigns supreme on Fat Tuesday, with bakery lines often wrapping around buildings starting in the wee hours of the morning.

Historically, the beloved Fat Tuesday pastry represented an absolute "pantry raid" of a kitchen's richer foods such as eggs, sugar and fat in preparation for Lent (when the foods are forbidden).

Paczki also comes with fanfare in a race known as the Paczki Challenge. In this popular eating contest, individuals race from point-to-point while simultaneously stuffing their faces with as many Paczki as humanly possible (one pastry for every ten steps is considered a worthy rate of consumption). The first contestant to arrive to the finish, with the most Paczki also finished, is deemed the champion.

The Dash Point Metropolitan Market is hosting a free wine tasting on March 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. Wine and food tastings will include Boat Street Pickles, Pleasant Valley Gouda and El Gaucho Wicked Spice. We are so excited that El Gaucho is going to be selling their Wicked Spice. You may have tried their Wicked Shrimp (also available Sea Grill, also in the Mackay Restaurant Group).

Every year as Mardi Gras approaches, we get questions on where to find King Cakes. Usually we send callers wondering where to find the traditional treat to George's Bakery in North Bend. I called Friday and learned that they are indeed still in the King Cake market. Order them in advance at 425-888-0632. This year, there's also a quality source close to (our) home: Sugar on First Hill. Stephanie Crocker posts here that she'll make her colorful, pecan-praline-filled cakes by advance reservation and bake them fresh the day you pick them up. "(W)e're baking them February 17th to 28th, and yes, they will have the baby." Call Sugar at 206-749-4105 to order.

This year, there's also a chance at Metropolitan Market to dive into the Midwestern Fat Tuesday tradition of Paczki, something like a glazed, filled donut made with extra-rich dough. The market folks say this about the tradition:

"Historically, the beloved Fat Tuesday pastry represented an absolute "larder raid" of a kitchen's richer foods such as eggs, sugar and fat in preparation for Lent (when the foods are forbidden). Paczki also comes with fanfare in a race known as the Paczki Challenge. In this popular eating contest, individuals race from point-to-point while simultaneously stuffing their faces with as many Paczki as humanly possible (one pastry for every ten steps is considered a worthy rate of consumption). The first contestant to arrive to the finish, with the most Paczki also finished, is deemed the champion."

Met will have Paczki (raspberry, Bavarian creme, and lemon) on sale at all locations from Feb. 16 to 24 (they're made in the Midwest, baked and glazed in Seattle). They'll hold their own Paczki Challenge on Fat Tuesday at the Admiral branch (2320 42nd Ave. S.W.).

President Barack Obama can take some of the credit for the recent surge in sales of salted caramels, but Lauren Adler, owner of sweets boutique Chocolopolis, has a more fundamental explanation for our obsession with the combination of chocolate, caramel and salt: "It's just good."

Chocolopolis sells several different salted caramel confections, which Alder says are the most popular items in the store. Below are the salted caramels on offer at the Queen Anne shop, along with a few more of our favorite locally available salty-sweet treats.

Christopher Elbow: sea salt caramel
The best selling treat from Chocolopolis' truffle counter, this is a runny caramel with a hint of sea salt inside. "It's great for the customer who prefers a soft, liquid caramel," says Adler. "A truly adult treat -- but kids love it, too!" $2.25 each at Chocolopolis.

Lillie Belle Farms: lavender caramel
Sunset magazine named these caramels from Central Point, Oregon, "The Best in the West." Chewy caramel is infused with lavender and topped with Fleur de Sel. $2.25 each at Chocolopolis.

Theo Chocolate: ghost chili salt caramel
Spice things up on Valentine's Day with these sultry caramels from Theo. Ghost chili-infused caramel is covered in chocolate and topped with bits of salt and chili. $2.25 each at Chocolopolis.

Fran's Chocolates: salted caramels
President Obama favors the milk chocolate-covered caramels with smoked salt on top from Seattle's own Fran Bigelow. His wife, Michelle, prefers Fran's dark chocolate-covered caramels sprinkled with gray salt. $11.50 for seven pieces, $24 for 16 pieces at Fran's stores, Metropolitan Market stores and the Chocolate Box.

You say you'd like to support local agriculture.

Now you can do more than buy from local farmers. You can volunteer to be an in-store cheerleader.

The state-funded Northwest Agriculture Business Center is recruiting volunteers for in-store sampling of Skagit Fresh Sparkling Juices, featured here recently.

Help with sampling at 65 stores including Haggen Food & Pharmacy, Top Food & Drug, Whole Foods Market, Town & Country Market, Metropolitan Market, PCC Natural Markets and other co-op locations.

Skagit Fresh was developed to save apple orchards in the Skagit Valley and to keep apple farmers farming. The NABC is working with three apple farmers to support and market the program.

Washington is known for its delectable apples. While this makes for some delicious and nutritious snacks, it also makes my trip to the grocery store overwhelming. As I eyeball bin after bin of Washington's most beloved fruit, I can't decide which variation of apple to throw in my cart. I recently heard about a new celebrity in the world of "pommes" called the Pinata Apple: A Surprise For Your Taste Buds. These big beauties are juicy, crisp, and have "a classic apple flavor with a tropical twist". You have to try them because they have cured my harvest hunting woes. With the aid of the palatable Pinata, throw a liqueur making party sure to please you're your friends and family. The plan is to brew, bottle, cork, and seal, while bonding with your produce loving pals!

Invite
Attach a cutely crafted invite tag to an apple corer to inform your friends of your apple extravaganza. You can find apple corers for only a few dollars each. Nothing could be more fitting, or useful, for you liqueur making party.

Shopping List:
Apple Corer, $5.99 from Metropolitan Market (Various Seattle Locations).

I don't know about you, but I think what's happening to the economy is great. Let me demonstrate with one simple statement: Gas is less expensive now. These days it costs me just $18 to fill up my car -- a "plum" 1993 Saturn to be specific, which means I can actually buy more stuff.

Deals are popping up all over the place, and it would just be silly to pass up any of them. It's the "Year of the Savings" -- maybe the phrase will catch on, maybe it won't. But it's true.

I've compiled a list of bargains found in the South Puget Sound.

Eat/Drink
Go to Metropolitan Market (2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma) and buy the largest container of the daily Chapino soup. The key is to get as many chunks of fish out as you can.

You get me, you really get me
The "you get me" dinner requires more thinking than the "spending a fortune" dinner. Subjective at best, you must spend time examining your relationship, the personalities involved, where you met, your favorite song, and any food allergies she might have (if you go somewhere she's allergic to, you deserve to get dumped).

A possible "you get me" place could be ordering a picnic from Metropolitan Market (2420 N Proctor, 253.761.3663) and eating in a favorite spot (the prime rib tastes divine). Maybe accents of the exotic make sense -- a desire to be seen as untamed. That's available at Indochine (1924 Pacific Ave., 253. 272.8200). Or if simplicity rules, il Trattoria di Merende (813 Pacific Ave., 253.722.1993) skips the odd architectural wonders and bizarre ingredient pairings and offers rustic Italian small plates. Or maybe she just wants to feel more than a mom and wife -- wishing to feel carried away to another place -- a grown-up spot far from the typical bar and grill of the Northwest. Maxwell's Speakeasy (454 St. Helens, 253.683.4115) easily has your back there -- the place is smart looking, smart tasting and delivers consistency. With classy golden brown and geometric details, smart furnishings and hip fixtures, it's one more restaurant making Tacoma a big city town.

A serial in which we compare manufactured vegetarian meat substitutes to the real thing. This week's contender: Veggie Patch "Meatballs."

Some vegetarians think eating faux meat products is creepy. I never felt that way. As long as it's not made of flesh, I'll try it. And it seems like there's a new attempt at meat substitution on the shelves every time I go to the grocery store. Many of these, however, are completely inedible. With this feature, I plan to try and seek out the best (and the worst) products the meat substitute industry has to offer. To ensure authenticity, I have enlisted a very opinionated omnivore to taste the real thing alongside the impostor and give us his two cents.

Sadly, there are some meat dishes you just can't replicate with plant-based ingredients. Like my grandma's brisket, the aroma of which taunts me every year when I go back to Detroit for Thanksgiving. But my grandma also makes amazing meatballs. Meatballs I haven't tasted since I hit puberty. So in homage to all the meat-centric family recipes I'll never get to try, I'm kicking this little experiment off with meatballs in hopes of eventually translating Gram's meatball recipe into a respectable vegetarian incarnation.

Our subject: Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs. Veggie Patch is a company out of New Haven, Connecticut that makes other faux meat products, but of all the non-meat products at my neighborhood Met Market, these looked the most appealing. We're comparing these babies to Metropolitan Market's own pre-made beef meatballs; I've posted photos of both below. As for process, I sauteed both in a little olive oil, then served the meatballs with spaghetti and some homemade tomato sauce.