In the daily diet of the Greeks, in addition to olive oil and feta, we find another extremely popular ingredient, which is tomatoes. And probably not without a reason, because in the summer nothing will match the taste and aroma of fresh and ripe tomato. In winter, they can be successfully replaced with canned tomatoes or homemade purees.
In our humble opinion, tomatoes are one of the best and most universal food products, while the Greek dishes in which they appear can be exchanged for a very long time. An additional advantage of tomatoes is the small amount of calories, which per 100 grams of fruit is only 20 kcal.

Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin C and lycopene - an antioxidant that contributes to maintaining good health. Processing tomatoes does not harm the lycopene, the opposite is true, the longer the heat treatment lasts, the more lycopene will be found in purée or homemade ketchup.
As research shows, in addition to the advantages of taste and a wide culinary application in cuisines of nations centered around the Mediterranean, tomatoes have phenomenal abilities to protect against cancer of the digestive tract, prostate in men, breasts in women, are also invaluable in counteracting depression. They should become an important ingredient in the diet of the elderly, because it is in their case that they reduce the risk of death on the cancerous base by approximately 50%. It is worth mentioning that no previous studies have shown negative effects of eating large quantities of tomatoes or processed products. Of course, we mean products and dishes prepared at home and deprived of industrial food chemistry. The conclusion is self-imposed: tomatoes can not be overdosed :)
According to the latest British research, men who consume 10 portions of tomatoes per week reduce the risk of prostate cancer by about 18%. Most likely, this is due to lycopene, which fights toxins that damage DNA and cells. This discovery is important because prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in Europe and in the world.

Messara - one of the areas of Crete famous for the cultivation of tasty vegetables
It is worth asking yourself, however, what do British scientists understand by serving? According to them, it is about two medium-sized tomatoes or half a cup of tomato sauce. Nothing prevents you to get the right amount of this vegetable by eating the salads and other dishes in which it is contained. A quick and healthy idea to increase the amount of lycopene contained in the home diet will also be a variety of simple pasta sauces. It is also worth remembering other dishes in which processed tomatoes are used, you have to mention for example vegetables, legumes and meats stewed in tomato sauces.
Another advantage of lycopene contained in tomatoes is the protection of the heart. Researchers at the University of Cambrigde argue that it stabilizes the function of the endothelium lining the blood vessels. Malignant endothelial cells can lead to atherosclerosis. Systematic administration of lycopene contained in tomatoes significantly improves their condition and the vessels expand by up to 53%. This property has a direct effect on reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. It is interesting, however, that the greatest effectiveness of lycopene was observed in already ill people, while in healthy people it was not observed that the vessels were widened. It is clearly visible that this extremely useful substance works only where it is needed.
Tomatoes can be found in many popular Cretan dishes, for example in dakos
Another source of interesting information about tomatoes is the results of a study by Japanese scientists published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. They showed that people aged over 70 who regularly ate two to six times a week tomatoes less frequently reported symptoms of depression. The difference was 46% compared to the control group. This was not the case for other vegetables. Of course, as the scientists themselves emphasize, more research is needed on other more diverse populations. Further analyzes are also required in order to search for the ingredient contained in tomatoes, which is responsible for the observed effects of counteracting depression.
Preparing your dishes, however, it is worth not only inspiring Greek cuisine, but ideas for home-made meals are also worth looking for in the kitchens of other countries of the Mediterranean. Italian cuisine is also full of recipes applicable to good and popular tomatoes. Bruschetta, or tomatoes served with mozzarella, will be a great idea for a quick meal. In Greek cuisine, this vegetable can not be missing in such flagship dishes as Greek salad (country salad) , dakosach , or keftedes in tomato sauce . It is also worth remembering many vegetarian recipes, in which tomatoes are one of the basic ingredients. You will find them even such dishes as briam , fainted imam , fasolakia and fasolada . Popular in Greece gigantes plaki , okra or zucchini in tomatoes are another fantastic offer of meatless dishes, in which tomatoes are a complement to the taste.
Tomato fritters is another interesting and little-known way of dish containing tomatoes
During our culinary experiments and during the preparation of our everyday meals, we try to reach for unique products from Crete or Greece as often as possible. Many of them permanently fit into our menu and systematically reach our shopping lists. For some time, dried plums and black olives from the Greek company Atrapos have joined the group of this type of products. At the outset, it is worth emphasizing that both products are virtually in the permanent offer of the online store kreta24.pl.
Carob is otherwise the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) or carob tree found among others in the countries of the Mediterranean Basin, India, the Middle East or Australia. This evergreen and heat-resistant tree grows both wild and cultivated. Before sugarcane reeds and beets were disseminated, carob fruit was the main source of sugar due to its nearly 50% sugar content.
The fact that the Mediterranean diet is healthy has been written many times. Scientists are systematically conducting various studies on the effects of this diet on human organisms. In recent weeks, the results of studies have been published, the subject of which was the impact of the Mediterranean diet on the level of sugar in the blood. So what do the Greeks eat that their diet works in such a beneficial way?
Komentarze
komentarz z
Uwielbiam pomidory, w poprzednim wcieleniu albo byłam pomidorem albo byłam Greczynką/Grekiem :-)
komentarz z
Ja kocham pomidory od dziecka ale ciągle mam zatrucia nic mnie nie chroni moja miłość, kupiłam wczoraj 6 pomidorków i wyrzuciłam coś okropnego sama chemia w gębie. Koniec świata zatruwają porządnych ludzi. Niech ktoś bada te wyroby i zakazuje sprowadzać to samo z truskawkami nawet się dałam nabrać bo pięknie pachniały ale jak ugryzłam coś okropnego. Jak to jest możliwe,że przy takiej technologii nie można sprawdzić,że to się nie nadaje do jedzenia, to samo jest ze smakiem mięsa wieprzowego nic nie pomagają żadne przyprawy, dodatki smakuje jak wióry. Przecież gotuję 50 lat i co nagle nie potrafię. Gdzie zwykły człowiek ma latać i szukać porządnego mięsa a rolnicy strajkują wrzeszczą ale ich wyroby są naprawdę nie do zjedzenia. Jak ja wyrzucam żywność bo jest okropna a potem widzę wściekłego rolnika, że ja nie chcę jeść jego produkcji to tylko ręce załamać.
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