HELLO SUMMER! Guys, the farmers markets are so abundant right now, the weather is warm, summer nights are cool and refreshing, the days are long, and there are so many amazing activities happening all the time! I am definitely a summer lover and this summer I am exploring new opportunities, activities, and of course, recipes!
This recipe is SO simple and is perfect for the abundance of tomatoes that are hitting our home gardens and farmers markets right now. Plus, we are cooking the tomatoes which actually brings out more nutrients, specifically the lycopene content, which acts as a powerful antioxidant.
Ingredient Spotlight:
Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, an extremely powerful antioxidant that is the most efficient single oxygen quencher. It actually devours 10 times more oxygenated free radicals than vitamin E, making it a great component to your diet. Not only that, but tomatoes are also high in vitamin C, biotin, molybdenum, and vitamin K. Plus, when cooked, such as in this recipe, the lycopene content dramatically increases, up to more than 60%! However, vitamin C content does decrease when tomatoes are cooked.
Ingredients:
Tomatoes
Italian Seasoning
Salt
Water
Directions:
Place whole tomatoes and italian seasoning in a pot with a small amount of water covering just the bottom.
Heat until water begins to boil, lower to medium heat, and place a lid on the pot.
Around 15 minutes in, the tomatoes will have burst and you can use a spoon to mash them and then place the lid back on.
Allow the tomatoes to continue to simmer for about an hour, checking and stirring them occasionally.
The marinara is done once the tomatoes have turned in to a paste.
Taste your mixture and add salt if necessary!
I love to eat this as a simple tomato paste, but it can also be used as a marinara sauce. It is also delightful to add olive oil to after cooking!
What are you making with the abundance of tomatoes? Let us know! And definitely try out this recipe and share your pictures on Instagram by tagging us @holisticrendezvous and #holisticrendezvous! Peace and Love!
Blair is a Nutrition Consultant and Natural Chef with a passion for helping others achieve optimal health through a holistic approach that focuses on body, mind, and spirit. 
