The Veggie Tomatophobe: Tomatophobe's Travels

Unfortunately, I don't have the budget to literally go travelling in search of recipe inspiration. I've therefore brought the world to my kitchen and explore as many different cuisines as possible - I am determined to prove they all have tomatoless, meatless foods to be adored!

CARIBBEAN

World Food Night: The Eating (bottom recipe for Caribbean Trifle)

CHINA

World Food Night: The Eating (top recipe for Sichuan Hot Pot)

ENGLAND

Pretty English: Cream Teas & Asparagus (recipe for Asparagus & Pasta Bake)

INDIA

There will always be Brick Lane: Valentine's at City Spice

ITALY

A Journey to Discovery: Green Harissa Leftovers Lasagne

Super Gnocchi: Inspiration from Borough Market Demonstration Kitchen (recipe for Baked Kale and Rocket Gnocchi with Sage, Baby Leek and Butter Sauce)

Embracing Scottish Roots... With Italian Cooking (recipe for Aubergine Parmigiana)

SPAIN

Hola Pimiento: The Tomato Fearer's Patatas Bravas

THAILAND

Saturday Night Makeaway: Thai Tofu Curry

WALES

For St David: Glamorgan Patties with Balsamic Cannellini Sauce and Chilli Samphire

Apologies if your favourite country isn't here yet! The globe is a big, round place. I will get through it all eventually!

I have…

Or at least I’m fairly sure I have a phobia to TOMATOES. I can’t touch them, struggle to look at them and most certainly cannot eat them. This refers not just to raw tomatoes but also to ketchup, salsa, Doritos that have tomato powder on them… before you ask, or anything.

I am also…

A vegetarian, and have been since about the age of 12. Some people think this might make life a bit difficult. It can do, but it depends where you go, who you speak to, and how you cook.

I am also…

A Type 1 Diabetic, and have been since about the age of 3 (henceforth, not a result of being a tomatophobic vegetarian). Some people think this might make life a bit difficult. It can do, but it depends where you go, who you speak to, and how you cook.

I also don’t like…

Mushrooms, eggs, and olives. I have sincerely tried to like these things, but so far, it hasn’t happened. I’m pretty content in my dislike for them. Some people think this might make life a bit difficult. It can do, but it depends where you go, who you speak to, and how you cook.

People ask, ‘What do you actually eat?’, and I suppose it’s a fair question. But the answer would probably be as long as it would be if a non-tomato-fearing, meat-eating, non-diabetic mushroom liker was queried with the same. I do not want to discourage people from eating tomatoes. As much as I hate to admit it, they’re really bloody good for you. What I do want to encourage is experimentation; these dislikes, preferences, conditions and whatever you want to call them have forced me to become highly imaginative in the kitchen and that is a delight. Mixing things up and thinking about new ways of doing things means we can always be excited by something… even if it’s just a makeshift Spaghetti Bolognese.

The Veggie Tomatophobe

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Tomatophobe's Travels