Cooking Mediterranean Vegetarian
Fresh Salads with a Mediterranean Spin
(ARA) - It’s time to spring into the salad season, and a good way to go is with Mediterranean
flavors. They’ve taken root in this country and small wonder -- ingredients like olive oil, garlic, grains, seafood and fresh tomatoes just seem
to belong together. Marinating and grilling are among the Mediterranean techniques that deliver delightful dishes, including interesting salads
with a touch of sophistication.
Americans love fresh tomatoes in salads, so it’s fortunate fresh tomatoes from Florida are at the peak of their season right now. Incorporating
them into Mediterranean-style salads seems appropriate because, of course, tomatoes were originally from the Americas.
Following their introduction to Europeans by New World explorers, tomatoes gradually won acceptance and today, fresh tomatoes are a staple in the
Italian diet. Quite often they’re paired with pasta. In this case, cheese tortellini get together with tangy-sweet tomatoes, fresh greens and
peas (photo) to make a salad that’s great on its own, on a buffet table or as a side for grilled salmon or steak. 
Tunisians are as fond of fresh tomatoes as their neighbors elsewhere in the Mediterranean basin. A refreshing tomato and bell pepper relish from
this tradition tastes of cumin and garlic, and it’s topped -- deliciously! -- with grilled shrimp in a spicy marinade (photo).
The much-touted health benefits of the Mediterranean diet owe a good deal to fresh tomatoes. One medium tomato supplies 40 percent of the vitamin
C and 20 percent of the vitamin A we need each day. Tomatoes deliver fiber, potassium, iron, phosphorous and some B vitamins. What’s more,
preliminary scientific research suggests that eating one-half to one cup of antioxidant-rich tomatoes a week may reduce the risk of prostate
cancer.
Store firm tomatoes at room temperature on a kitchen counter until they soften and turn a deeper red. Don’t even think about popping them in the
refrigerator -- the chill will damage their taste and texture.
The Florida Tomato Committee is offering a new recipe leaflet with 21 quick ideas for salads, sandwiches and sides with fresh tomatoes. Get a
free copy by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 21 Quick Ideas; c/o Lewis & Neale Inc.; 35 E. 21 Street, Floor 10; New York,
NY 10010. To download the leaflet, and for more great ideas, visit floridatomatoes.org.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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