When you think of health foods, do you think about spaghetti, lasagna, barbecues, catsup, pizza, tacos and other tasty treats?   Maybe you should.

Tomatoes, formerly known as "love apples", are frequently in the news in recent months, with information about the benefits of the vitamins and antioxidants they contain, especially lycopene.  In his daily column,  Dr. Weil emphasizes the astounding health benefits of this tasty item, from the well-publicized cancer prevention to protection from heart attacks, substantiated by research by  Lenore Kohlmeier, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the University of North Carolina. The Lyco-Red Industries and Lycopene.org give more data about the importance of lycopene. 

The history of the tomato, according to Team Tomato , is that "the tomato originated from South America, was taken to Italy and probably came back to the colonies after that.  Thomas Jefferson was one of the first to grow tomatoes, which were called 'Love Apples' at the time, and give them a try as a vegetable.  As to whether it is a fruit or vegetable, it is actually both. Botanically it is a fruit, horticulturally and legally it is a vegetable".

Lycopene is found in watermelon and pink and red grapefruit, and to a lesser extent, in crab and lobster.  But tomatoes are absolutely full of it, and are one of the most versatile veggies you can utilize in your cooking.   See previous Sneaky Kitchen recipes:

• Penne with Eggplant and Red Peppers
• Redbone Soup
• Tomato and Stale Bread Soup
• Tomato-Vegetable Bouillabaisse
• Breakfast Tomatoes
• Grilled Garlic Tomatoes

Here's another recipe that's quick to fix, has lots of tomato as well as other veggies,  just enough fats to help with absorption of the lycopene,  and will become a family favorite:   Pizza Pie.