Substitute for tomatoes?

[Crowan]

My partner's favourite dish is Spaghetti Bolognese. Unfortunately, she can no longer eat tomatoes. Any ideas?

[Kiga]

Just tomatoes, or all tomato products, e.g. puree or sauce? It does seem that if they are out, the very nature of the bolognaise will be altered if you substitute, say, mushroom or cheese sauce. But she might get to like it! I find Worcestershire sauce and Mushroom Ketchup invaluable when experimenting in the kitchen.

[Jabba The Hut]

How about roasted red peppers? I grill mine on a very high heat, so that the skins char, let them cool a bit, then peel off the skins, and then chop the remaining flesh very finely - I use this instead of tomatoes in several recipes.

[CarolineN]

Originally Posted by Crowan

My partner's favourite dish is Spaghetti Bolognese. Unfortunately, she can no longer eat tomatoes. Any ideas?

You could try using carrots, sweet potatoes, or other root vegetables instead and with it a splash of wine vinegar to increase the acidity as in a tomato base.

If tomatoes are a problem, then it is probably better to avoid other solanaceous products too - bell peppers, chillies, aubergines and probably potato - especially the skins.

[Kiga]

All good ideas! How about courgettes, cooked until soft enough?

[Crowan]

Thank you for these ideas. I shall certainly try the roasted red peppers. The problem with courgettes and sweet potatoes are that they are too sweet. She has had brain surgery, about three months ago, which has left the nerves which supply the tastebuds severely bruised (possibly damaged, but we hope not) and all make food taste 'off' and over-salty. This was all sugars, including lactose, although this is getting better, but sucrose and fructose are really bad. Carrots are okay, but sweet potatoes, parsnips, butternut squash (which she loved) and particularly tomatoes are completely out at the moment.

[Elaineoz]

Good Morning

I frequently use "pureed red peppers" instead of tomatoe paste or tomatoes in sauces.
Gives a similiar taste and texture.

[Crowan]

I made the red pepper sauce for dinner tonight - it was a huge sucess!

Christine would like me to pass on her thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread - she says that it's amazing how such a seemingly small thing as being able to eat a sauce can make such a huge difference to the enjoyment of life.

[cactuschris]

Peeled aubergine is also good....and it makes a lovely pate with some fried onions and spices.

love
chris

[Elaineoz]

Hello again.

If you can grill the red peppers or Aubergines outside on the BBQ they taste even better.
Then remove the skins, chop finely and mix with vinegar,olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
I also add a little bit of yoghurt to the Aubergines. They are best eaten hot with warm bread.
Simple but very nice.