Every year, people hop aboard the next new and latest “food trend train”, and popularize otherwise left out and bullied fruits and vegetables. This past year, the trend seems to be all about brussels sprouts and kale. I hopped aboard that train myself and am thankful that these two li’l fellas have finally been accepted and appreciated for their powerhouse nutritional value!

But while new hybrids and old classics take their turns leading the way down the tracks, let’s not forget about the go-to, standard powerhouse engines our bodies also need! The always reliable, ruby-red, juicy, sweet and delicious tomato! Literally the heart-healthy and friendly caboose at the end of the train that everyone loves and keeps the whole line together! 😀

I remember eating them as a little girl just like an apple! We’d pick them right from the vine, rinse the dirt off with the garden hose, and take a big ol’ bite! Once you got it started, you could sprinkle it with salt and it was officially summer when you had fresh tomato juices dripping from your chin! 

We can’t always get fresh tomatoes, though, and even in the summertime, good tomatoes in my area are extremely difficult to find. So, the only way to enjoy them anymore for us, especially year-round, is to buy them fresh-canned.

After many years of being disappointed in the quality of several top brands as well as store brands, several years ago I gave Hunt’s a shot at it. BOY am I ever glad I did! My only regret is that I didn’t make the switch YEARS ago. From the second I opened my first can of stewed, I was actually relieved and so very pleased! FINALLY! A company that cares and knows it’s tomatoes! I mean, there were actually tomatoes in there – –  LOTS of them! And for once, I didn’t waste my money on a can of juice with a few tattered “reddish things” in it full of the hard stem ends! 

My heart goes out to you, too, Hunt’s! Your products are high quality, yet easy on the pocketbook, and your variety of flavors are SO much fun to play with in the kitchen! And not to forget, heart-healthy, too!

Though technically a fruit, but more commonly used as and considered a vegetable, did you know that besides being loaded with Vitamin C, they’re low-cal and fat-free?! And the “short list” of benefits include containing the highest concentration of Lycopene of all fruits and vegetables which is VITAL in fighting all kinds of cancer cells from forming! These mighty little engines also lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.  And a simple glass of tomato juice it is said, has the potential to keep you healthy for life. And a basic quick list of vitamins include Vitamins A, C, B, BK, B3, E, B1, biotin, copper, magnesium, potassium, fiber, manganese, phosphorus, protein, chromium, iron and zinc! There are many more, but there isn’t enough time in the world to list them all as tomatoes have been deemed the healthiest of all fruits and vegetables!   

And the best part of these benefits? The Lycopene in tomatoes actually increases when heated and canned, not decreases! So cooked and canned tomatoes are actually even better for you! Who would’ve thought, right?! 😀

So thank you, Hunt’s!! Thank you for choosing me to be your first “Fan Spotlight” as well as providing such a wonderful, healthy and high-quality yet affordable product that’s always handy, easy to find, and simply delicious!

I hope you all give them a try if they aren’t already your favorite, too, and don’t forget to check out their Facebook Page, give them a big Like, and post some of your own favorite recipes using Hunt’s tomatoes!  You could be the next Hunt’s Star! 

Here are more of my recipes that are favorites of ours 

using Hunt’s Tomatoes!

 5-Ingredient 5-Minute Creamy Tomato, Pesto & Ranch Soup

Pork Medallions with Creamy Italian Rice & Tomatoes (Crock Pot)

Slow-Simmered Spicy Sausage Cacciatore with Conchiglie

Enchiladas suizas con Pollo (Swiss Chicken Enchiladas)

Easy Rigatoni with Spicy Tomato & Red Pepper Clam Sauce

Spicy Southwestern Chuck Wagon Stew

Italian Pizzeria-Style Sloppy Joes

Country-Style Green Beans with Bacon, Mushrooms, Onions & Stewed Tomatoes

Classic Italian Spaghetti Sauce

Pizzeria-Style Sausage & Pepperoni Goulash Stuffed Peppers

Weeknight Spanish Rice with Sweet Baby Peas, Grilled Chicken, Andouille & Bacon

Sweet Home Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza