Dear immune system, why must you hate EVERYTHING so?

[rootofnewt]

•carrots
•tomatoes
•hazelnuts
•pistachios

That's the final list. Of them, I eat all but pistachios on a near daily basis.

The allergist said I could try keeping only cooked tomatoes, but I've been carrotless for a week and a half, raw tomato-less for several days and am still itchy, so I'm afraid even cooked tomatoes will go.

I'll think about these again in several years, after I've had another hormonal shift.

Until then, I'll amuse myself by coming up with alternatives to catsup. Nomato is out--it's primarily made of carrots. I'm going to try roasting peppers and a beet and then mixing them, cooking them, reducing them with some spices and sugar, pureeing . . . . we'll see. I bet I can manage a reasonable sludgy sauce o'savory supremity.

I wasn't tested for any other nightshades and I won't worry about them unless the itchiness of doom doesn't settle. So tomatillos and peppers are still my friends. For now. I found some salsa verdo that is free of tomatoes. Thank god. And instead of growing my beloved tomato plants this year, I'll plant pineapple tomatillos and other ground cherries.

I reserve the right to break into tears this July and August when the gorgeous heirloom tomatoes are in season.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

reducing them with some spices and sugar

Heck, that's the key to ketchup, anyway, isn't it? The tomato base is just a carrier for the sugar and vinegar. :-)

[melody-rossiter.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry... are you fond of red peppers? I make a lot of sauce/purees with them, and my digestive system absolutely loves them. By far it is not the same as tomato, but still mighty tasty.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I cook with red peppers all the time. I figure that's what I'll use as the base for my bbq sauce, taco sauce, catsup, etc.

[melody-rossiter.livejournal.com]

Red peppers are just about my favorite- I love the way they taste with garlic, basil and rosemary for a nice sauce.

They are *so* expensive in Oregon right now, though, it's just rude. If I knew how to garden at *all* I would grow my own.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

At world market (it might be called Cost Plus World Market where you are), I can buy Milo's roasted red peppers for less than four bucks a jar. There are 4-5 decently sized roasted peppers in each jar. That's a lot cheaper than buying fresh and I'm not allergic to anything in the packing, I don't think.

(not to mention, the store is like a housegoth's wet dream)

[melody-rossiter.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that roasted pepper squick me out a bit, but I've never really used them, either. For a while, fresh ones were so cheap that it made sense to just buy as many as I needed. Right about now you can get them at the market for $2 a pop. Ridiculous!

I'll have to try the brand you suggest. Any recipes that you favor?

[crankles.livejournal.com]

SUCKS! Tomatoes are delicious and hard to avoid, I'm so sorry. I've heard about a night-shade free pasta sauce using red peppers.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Red peppers are nightshades. But yeah, I've made sauce from red peppers. I can even make gluten-free romesco sauce, which would probably be tasty, provided I can still have almonds (and i can).

[natf.livejournal.com]

Red peppers are nightshades. My aunt discovered that she is allergic to all of the nightshades - including potatoes!

[twostepsfwd.livejournal.com]

Interesting - pistachios have been giving me mild GI issues - Been wondering what that's about since I thought nuts generally only cause anaphylactic / histamine type issues. It's not stopping me from eating them in small quantities but it's kind of weird/surprising to me that I am having issues with them.

Roasting peppers and beets sounds absolutely fabulous. With some spices. Mmm. Let me know what it tastes like. I'm rooting for you not coming up with any more allergies.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I'm glad I have the tools and know how to put my fearless experiments to the test, eh?

[elnigma.livejournal.com]

Carrots and tomatoes both are high in beta carotine - some people are allergic (my ex is)

Crying Over Split Tomatoes

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

You won't be alone.

And I am uploading a giant cluebat with which you can wallop the first person who says, "Don't you like tomatoes?"

This really sucks, and I am sorry.

Re: Crying Over Split Tomatoes

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Woooo! I thought I was gonna have to use the "You know, that Atkins stuff is dangerous" bat, used when I ask if something has flour in it.

[natf.livejournal.com]

Oh goodness! *hugs*

I am so glad that I can still at least eat passata (strained tomatoes - skins and seeds removed)...

[nannar.livejournal.com]

hazelnut?

[compostwormbin.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Food allergies suck! :(

[redzshadow.livejournal.com]

I don't get along with some tomatoes. I generally don't have a fondness for them. But this does suck cause when they are in season (like my mom's) they are good. :(

[girlghoul.livejournal.com]

Man you're allergic to carrots! Ugh I'm soooo sorry about that one.

[geeki.livejournal.com]

Oh hun....that sucks.

[ismene.livejournal.com]

Not only carrots, but tomatoes, too? You poor thing.