Comments on: What To Do With A Tasteless Tomato? Pasta Primavera! http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/ Healthy Eating Tips for Foodies Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:13:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Farmers Market Update: Springtime | Healthy Eating Tips - Upgrade Your Healthstyle | Summer Tomato http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-7642 Farmers Market Update: Springtime | Healthy Eating Tips - Upgrade Your Healthstyle | Summer Tomato Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:01:55 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-7642 [...] should still avoid the deceptively juicy looking tomatoes, however. Trust  me, they aren’t good. The vendor said it will be about 3 weeks before the heirlooms show [...] [...] should still avoid the deceptively juicy looking tomatoes, however. Trust  me, they aren’t good. The vendor said it will be about 3 weeks before the heirlooms show [...]

]]> By: Karin http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-907 Karin Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:31:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-907 I can't get over how yummy the romanesco/pasta combo looks! I can’t get over how yummy the romanesco/pasta combo looks!

]]> By: Darya Pino http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-880 Darya Pino Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:02:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-880 <b>@Matt<br/><br/>Ain't nothin' wrong with bein' a tomato fiend ;)<br/><br/>Beautiful strawberries!!!!!!!! I'm so jealous!!<br/><br/></b> @Matt

Ain’t nothin’ wrong with bein’ a tomato fiend ;)

Beautiful strawberries!!!!!!!! I’m so jealous!!

]]> By: Matt Shook http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-879 Matt Shook Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:09:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-879 @Darya<br/><br/>I'm actually a big proponent of in-season produce shopping...my love however is a tomato-fiend, she wants her tomatoes regardless of seasons. It's awesome that following such practices is superior in the nutritional sense...I believe there is something unique and special about only eating what would naturally occur at that time. I get really excited when summer rolls around and the <a HREF="http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/shook81/IMGP1445.jpg" REL="nofollow">strawberries in my backyard</a> are ripening to perfection...to me they're the best in the world!<br/><br/>It's funny, I never considered a raw diet to be all that extreme...to me bypass surgery is extreme...it's relative I suppose. I completely agree that in-season (organic locally grown) produce would be the best way to introduce or persuade others that eating more fruits and vegetables doesn't have to be a painful endeavor. I think you're on to something here...<br/><br/>I would consider myself a chickpea enthusiast. I love using them in homemade hummus, salads, and Indian-style dishes...I don't know why it never crossed my mind to use them in a pasta dish. Probably because when I think of chickpeas I think of the Middle Eastern and Indian flavors, not Mediterranean...but I can tell there is some good synergy in this dish. I'll have to try it out for myself. @Darya

I’m actually a big proponent of in-season produce shopping…my love however is a tomato-fiend, she wants her tomatoes regardless of seasons. It’s awesome that following such practices is superior in the nutritional sense…I believe there is something unique and special about only eating what would naturally occur at that time. I get really excited when summer rolls around and the strawberries in my backyard are ripening to perfection…to me they’re the best in the world!

It’s funny, I never considered a raw diet to be all that extreme…to me bypass surgery is extreme…it’s relative I suppose. I completely agree that in-season (organic locally grown) produce would be the best way to introduce or persuade others that eating more fruits and vegetables doesn’t have to be a painful endeavor. I think you’re on to something here…

I would consider myself a chickpea enthusiast. I love using them in homemade hummus, salads, and Indian-style dishes…I don’t know why it never crossed my mind to use them in a pasta dish. Probably because when I think of chickpeas I think of the Middle Eastern and Indian flavors, not Mediterranean…but I can tell there is some good synergy in this dish. I’ll have to try it out for myself.

]]> By: Darya Pino http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-878 Darya Pino Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:24:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-878 <b>@Scott<br/><br/>I agree with Matt. The produce at farmers markets is better quality and less expensive than equivalent items at Whole Foods. Produce at regular grocery stores like Vons, Safeway and Ralph's cannot even be compared in price or quality they are so different.<br/><br/>As for CSAs, you must remember that these farms are barely keeping their heads above water as is. It isn't like they are trying to screw you. Their quality does not reflect how much money they think they could make off it or they would be selling different products. It is a fact that some seasons will produce more than others and it is completely fair for them to fix a price regardless of weather. The amount of work they do is the same regardless.<br/><br/>Another thing to consider is that when you subscribe to a CSA you tend to get more than you would for the same price at the market.<br/><br/>-----<br/>@Car Blog<br/><br/>It was yum, thanks!! <br/><br/>-----<br/>@Matt <br/><br/>One of my big things is only buying produce in season. I would argue that you get much more (nutritionally) out of practicing seasonal shopping than you do out of some more extreme food practices, like macrobiotic or raw diets. The key reasons are for variety, increased nutrients and simply <i>wanting</i> to eat more vegetables because they taste so good! It is hard to convince others that vegetables and fruits are delicious when you buy them out of season.<br/><br/>And yes, the chickpeas add essential balance to this meal. Without them you would be hungry much sooner afterward. They are a great source of fiber, protein and minerals. They're also yummy!!<br/><br/>-----<br/>@Greg<br/><br/>Great question!!! You are absolutely right, seasonal produce that tastes better has more nutrients. Sometimes the difference is quite large. Same goes for organic versus conventional foods. When produce is grown under proper conditions you are able to get their full nutritional benefit!<br/><br/></b> @Scott

I agree with Matt. The produce at farmers markets is better quality and less expensive than equivalent items at Whole Foods. Produce at regular grocery stores like Vons, Safeway and Ralph’s cannot even be compared in price or quality they are so different.

As for CSAs, you must remember that these farms are barely keeping their heads above water as is. It isn’t like they are trying to screw you. Their quality does not reflect how much money they think they could make off it or they would be selling different products. It is a fact that some seasons will produce more than others and it is completely fair for them to fix a price regardless of weather. The amount of work they do is the same regardless.

Another thing to consider is that when you subscribe to a CSA you tend to get more than you would for the same price at the market.

—–
@Car Blog

It was yum, thanks!!

—–
@Matt

One of my big things is only buying produce in season. I would argue that you get much more (nutritionally) out of practicing seasonal shopping than you do out of some more extreme food practices, like macrobiotic or raw diets. The key reasons are for variety, increased nutrients and simply wanting to eat more vegetables because they taste so good! It is hard to convince others that vegetables and fruits are delicious when you buy them out of season.

And yes, the chickpeas add essential balance to this meal. Without them you would be hungry much sooner afterward. They are a great source of fiber, protein and minerals. They’re also yummy!!

—–
@Greg

Great question!!! You are absolutely right, seasonal produce that tastes better has more nutrients. Sometimes the difference is quite large. Same goes for organic versus conventional foods. When produce is grown under proper conditions you are able to get their full nutritional benefit!

]]> By: Greg http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-877 Greg Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:27:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-877 Curious about what your guys' opinion is about the nutritional quality of a flavorful tomato versus one that has no flavor; I would think the flavorless one would have less sugar, but might it also have fewer phyotchemical contents, maybe less lycopene or something?; I mean, whatever was giving it the flavor is no longer present, and it surely has some function in human body. Anyone? Curious about what your guys’ opinion is about the nutritional quality of a flavorful tomato versus one that has no flavor; I would think the flavorless one would have less sugar, but might it also have fewer phyotchemical contents, maybe less lycopene or something?; I mean, whatever was giving it the flavor is no longer present, and it surely has some function in human body. Anyone?

]]> By: Matt Shook http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-876 Matt Shook Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:05:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-876 Yeah, the tomatoes I've thrown in my salads and burritos recently have been lacking a little bit in the flavor department. (I usually make up for it with herbs, spices, and hot sauce.) This reminds me of great looking (and feeling) avocados that are nasty and rank on the inside...such a disappointment. Hahaha...<br/><br/>Wow, I really like the inclusion of chickpeas in this recipe...an super interesting addition. I like it. Great looking warm recipe with fresh ingredients that won't weight you down...this blog always leaves me hungry.<br/><br/>@Scott<br/><br/>I disagree that farmers markets and CSA are ALWAYS more expensive. The markets and CSAs in my area are very competitive with the big grocery markets. Prices usually depend on the item in question and if there is an abundance of it on the market. Also, when it comes to freshness and quality the farmers markets/CSAs are the way to go. Once you take into account the fact your money is supporting local farmers, not a corporation shipping produce from Chile, it seems like those cheap tomatoes at the grocery store are not all that great of an investment...at least to me. ;) Yeah, the tomatoes I’ve thrown in my salads and burritos recently have been lacking a little bit in the flavor department. (I usually make up for it with herbs, spices, and hot sauce.) This reminds me of great looking (and feeling) avocados that are nasty and rank on the inside…such a disappointment. Hahaha…

Wow, I really like the inclusion of chickpeas in this recipe…an super interesting addition. I like it. Great looking warm recipe with fresh ingredients that won’t weight you down…this blog always leaves me hungry.

@Scott

I disagree that farmers markets and CSA are ALWAYS more expensive. The markets and CSAs in my area are very competitive with the big grocery markets. Prices usually depend on the item in question and if there is an abundance of it on the market. Also, when it comes to freshness and quality the farmers markets/CSAs are the way to go. Once you take into account the fact your money is supporting local farmers, not a corporation shipping produce from Chile, it seems like those cheap tomatoes at the grocery store are not all that great of an investment…at least to me. ;)

]]> By: Car Blog http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-875 Car Blog Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:12:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-875 No i have never bought a horrible tomato, nor do i plan to, LOL. Anyways the dish seems quite yum. I cant believe you can actually do so much out of so less. No i have never bought a horrible tomato, nor do i plan to, LOL. Anyways the dish seems quite yum. I cant believe you can actually do so much out of so less.

]]> By: Scott http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-874 Scott Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:45:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-874 Quote of the day:<br/>"Tasteless tomatoes aren't any cheaper than good ones!"<br/>-Darya Pino<br/>Thats the problem with farmers markets and CSAs, is that they sell at high prices no matter what. At least I can get a cheap tasteless tomato at the grocery store. That is one issue I have especially with CSAs- they want to charge you the cash up front, then "share in the gain or loss of the season." They got their money, so there is less incentive for them to solve a problem that will affect thier harvest. Any other opinions?<br/>(And just for the record, I don't buy cheap tasteless tomatos from the grocery store, I'm just making a point) Quote of the day:
“Tasteless tomatoes aren’t any cheaper than good ones!”
-Darya Pino
Thats the problem with farmers markets and CSAs, is that they sell at high prices no matter what. At least I can get a cheap tasteless tomato at the grocery store. That is one issue I have especially with CSAs- they want to charge you the cash up front, then “share in the gain or loss of the season.” They got their money, so there is less incentive for them to solve a problem that will affect thier harvest. Any other opinions?
(And just for the record, I don’t buy cheap tasteless tomatos from the grocery store, I’m just making a point)

]]> By: Darya Pino http://summertomato.com/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/comment-page-1/#comment-873 Darya Pino Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:41:00 +0000 http://summertomato.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-with-a-tasteless-tomato-pasta-primavera/#comment-873 <b>@Anon<br/><br/>As noted in the recipe, cauliflower is an acceptable substitute. The flavor is a little different and it doesn't look as cool, but it's otherwise just as good. Same cooking instructions. Try to get the tender, baby cauliflower.<br/><br/></b> @Anon

As noted in the recipe, cauliflower is an acceptable substitute. The flavor is a little different and it doesn’t look as cool, but it’s otherwise just as good. Same cooking instructions. Try to get the tender, baby cauliflower.

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