Hunt's Tomatoes and A Recipe dedicated to a girl who hates tomatoes!

 

Growing up in Asia, tomatoes are one of the staple vegetable in our kitchen. Most of the dishes we cook calls for a tomato ingredient which developed my love for tomatoes. I have always been aware of the benefits of eating tomatoes as part of a regular diet, which reinforced my loyalty to this red vegetable that resembles an apple. I'm happy that my husband likes tomato the same way but NOT our daughter. She avoids tomatoes like a plague!

According to American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine:

"Tomato Consumption and Health: Emerging Benefits...they {tomatoes} are the most consumed nonstarchy vegetable and are the most significant source of dietary lycopene; a powerful antioxidant that has greater bioavailability after cooking and processing (eg, canning). A large body of research supports an inverse relationship between consuming tomatoes and tomato products and risk of certain cancers, while emerging research is exploring the protective relationship between tomato intake and a host of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, ultraviolet light–induced skin damage, and cognitive dysfunction."

Getting my daughter  to develop the same love for tomato is a challenge. How can I incorporate tomatoes in a dish that my daughter won't run from at the mere sight of the tomatoes in it?

I came up with a creation using ingredients she love! A simple, easy to cook recipe using her favorite vegetables, favorite pasta; spaghetti and her favorite soy sauce. I named the recipe Jennatouille! It embodies who she is and the ingredients she loves while still being a healthy, nutritious food for her.

GET THE FULL RECIPE HERE: Jennatouille

{this is a vegetarian recipe}

And you know what's great about the recipe? she didn't even notice the tomatoes. Success!

Do you have kids who don't like tomatoes? Here are some top reasons to get them to eat it. You too!

• Tomatoes are good for your heart. Low in calories, but rich in nutrients like potassium, fiber and the powerful antioxidant called lycopene.
• According to Hunt's, lycopene in canned tomatoes, is easier for your body to use than from raw tomatoes, and you get seven times more lycopene from canned tomatoes than from the raw version. 
• Tomatoes are a superfood!

And why did I use Hunt's? 

• All of Hunt's tomatoes are grown in California and are 100 percent natural.
• Hunt's tomatoes come in lots of varieties, including No Salt added.

If you were to dedicate a tomato-based recipe today who will you dedicate it to and why?

*Hunt's and The Motherhood provided a stipend for this project as part of Hunt's marketing initiative.