By Giampaolo Macorig
I fell in love with Italy when I studied abroad in Firenze (Florence) way back in the late 90s. I love Italy. Tomatoes, not so much. I have never been a fan the beautiful red fruit, and I especially despised having to chop them up. Even with the proper tomato knife, I end up making a huge mess (I am not skilled with knives whatsoever). Because of this, I hardly ever bought fresh tomatoes. But since I know of all the great health benefits that tomatoes have, in my adult years I have always made a genuine effort to try to eat a little, mostly canned varieties.
To me, canned tomatoes taste worse than fresh tomatoes. They are bitter and tougher, but I still purchased cans for the convenience. That is, until I discovered the BPA in canned goods (especially those that have acidic contents like tomatoes). It didn’t take much for me to stop buying canned tomatoes, but that also meant that I had to buy fresh tomatoes and suffer through the chopping process. Needless to say, I didn’t buy many fresh tomatoes in the last few months, and a lot of times the ones I did buy spoiled while waiting to get used (an all too familiar occurrence in our household).
When I was asked to review Pomi’s boxed tomatoes, I actually jumped at the chance. My husband loves tomatoes, and I love the convenience of packaged tomatoes (less spoilage and less mess and suffering for me).
What is Pomi?
Pomi is a 100% all natural brand of boxed, garden ripened tomatoes straight from Italy. Because they are boxed, Pomi tomatoes are BPA free and have a prolonged shelf life. No pesticides, no GMOs, no preservatives, no water, no artificial flavors, no citric acid, no additives – simply tomatoes and nothing else. Low in sodium, too (10 mg sodium vs. 250-400 mg in its competitors). Pomi is also eco-friendly, practicing eco-sustainable agriculture and having recyclable packaging.
Seeing these boxes of Pomi took me back to Europe. Everywhere I went foods were more often seen packaged in boxes or glass. (Sigh.) I opened a package of Pomi chopped tomatoes and right away I was impressed with the smell and color. It resembled the freshness of a real tomato. Almost immediately, I was inspired to use it and threw together a last minute recipe I made up involving couscous, Pomi , asparagus, squash, and chicken sausage. I was so affected by the experience of it all that I added Pomi both to the sauce portion of the meal and to the couscous!
I can always taste tomatoes in my food, and there have only been a couple of times in my life where I have actually mildly enjoyed eating tomatoes. This was one of those times. In fact, my couscous was so yummy that my (preschool-aged) picky son and I forgot we were eating tomatoes. Ha!
The box is big and since it doesn’t have any additives, there are a lot of tomatoes compacted inside. So, one box can see you through multiple dishes. My only complaint is that I wish Pomi came in different sizes and had a convenient spout of some type.
When I started researching Pomi online, I noticed that their website showcases more varieties and sizes (and spouts!) than just the 26 ounce strained, chopped, and marinara sauce. Though not available for purchase in the US, I have been especially eyeing the Pomito sauces (basil and arrabbiata are both right up my alley). That just inspired me to make some “angry” pasta. Oh, this brings me back to Italy where I first discovered Penne Arrabbiata.
I did some calculations, for those of you curious about costs (shipping prices included in these calculations):
You can purchase Pomi at select stores (like Whole Foods) or online at Vitacost or Amazon
. If purchased through Amazon
Bottom line: Mi piace Pomi (I like Pomi).
WIN: Pomi is generously offering a reader ONE CASE of Pomi Chopped Tomatoes!!
HOW TO ENTER:
There are lots of ways you can win! Just make sure that you leave a separate comment for each entry. If any of the required steps for are missing, ALL of your entries/comments will not be valid. Bonus entries can be completed after the mandatory entry.
MANDATORY ENTRY
To enter, leave a comment here telling me your favorite dish involving tomatoes (it could be anything!). This is required and must be done before the extra entries!
BONUS ENTRIES
- Subscribe to the Village of Moms blog via Email on the sidebar. You must confirm/verify your subscription by checking your email inbox to complete the process. (2 extra entries)
- Follow Village of Moms on Twitter or join the Village of Moms group on Facebook. (1 extra entry each)
- Become a fan of Pomi on Facebook. (1 extra entry)
- Blog about wanting to win this giveaway and link it back to this post. (3 extra entries)
- Tweet about this giveaway. You can tweet once a day for an extra entry every day. Copy and paste: #WIN Pomi BPA-free tomatoes @VillageofMoms http://anationofmoms.com/?p=2305 #giveaway (1 extra entry, daily)
- Grab our teal button (on the sidebar) and display it on your blog or website until the contest is over. (2 extra entries)
- Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post. (1 extra entry)
***Giveaway closes September 9th @ 11:59 EST and winner will be chosen via Random.org. Open to US residents.***
Winner is announced on this blog under the featured “Recent Giveaway Winners” section after the giveaway closes. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email, or another winner will be drawn. We will not share your email with third parties.
Disclaimer: The sample product(s) reviewed was provided free of charge. VoM was under no obligation to review it if we so chose, nor was VoM under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely that of VoM, and are completely honest and without influence. VoM has reviewed this product(s) because we like it and think it would benefit our readers. To view our full policy, please click here.
I love spaghetti sauce. I just learned how to make it from scratch and it is oh so tasty!!
Joined on Facebook as Ginger Bergemann.
My fav tomato dish is a BLT!
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get your emails entry #1
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VoM FB fan: libby bloom hunt
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commented on recipes page
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I like to make homemade sauce with tomatoes, onions, olive oil and spices.
I love homemade pizza with homemade tomato sauce!
Someof our favorite tomato dishes include chicken parm, meat lasagna and homemade pizza. We usually make our own sauce, but with two jobs and little one this year, that wasn’t so much of a success!
I love tomatoes. Just by themselves. On Sandwiches, on pizza (MUST have fresh tomatoes on pizza!), in soups.
I love them tossed into pasta with a tad of oil, seasonings and some lightly steamed vegies. YUMMY!
We love tomatoes at our house! I love making bruschetta, spaghetti sauce and good ole lasagna. Thanks!!
I subscribe to your blog! Thanks.
Saute garlic, onion, grape tomatoes, then add chicken broth, cooked pasta, spinach and feta cheese… yum!
My fave would be lasagna!!!
Tough choice- one of my absolute favorites is Ratatouille!
I like tomato grits. I also like homemade pizza and marinara sauce.
I liked Pomi on Facebook.
I liked Village of Mom’s on Facebook.
Homemade Chili
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I follow you on Twitter.
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I joined the Village of Moms group on Facebook.
FB name – RJ.W.Higgins
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Become a fan of Pomi on Facebook.
FB name – RJ.W.Higgins
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I tweeted about this giveaway today.
http://twitter.com/rjwhiggins/status/22807211715
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Hi! My favorite dish with tomatoes is lasagna! Love it! Thanks!
My favorite dish involving tomatoes is a fresh tomato salad with mozzarella and balsalmic vinegar plus fresh basil. For a cooked dish, we love homemade pizza!
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I am an email subscriber #1
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Email subscriber #2
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Village of Moms Facebook fan!
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I am a new Pomi Facebook fan!
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My favorite dish using tomatoes is a fresh bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich on white or whole wheat toast with extra mayo, and a dash of salt and pepper! Especially in the summer with fresh tomatoes from my garden. yum-yum Thanks.
My kids favorite dish is homemade tomato soup.
My favorite dish is Goulash.
It would really be good with these fresher tasting tomatos.
I use canned ones:(
thanks, good giveaway!
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I subscribed to your email. thanks,mimilovesall8@yahoo.com
I subscribed to your email. #2
thanks,mimilovesall8@yahoo.com
I liked Pomi tomatos on Facebook. and left a comment.
Thanks, mimilovesall8@yahoo.com
I just entered to win a case of Pomi!
thanks, mimilovesall8@yahoo.com
Mmmm spanish rice with tomatos sounds so yummy ….Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)
I “like” them on facebook ….Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)
I subscribe by email…Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)
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I LIKE you on facebook tiffypixie tiffypoot@aol.com
http://twitter.com/tiffypixie/status/23993687543 – I tweeted – Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)
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Button on my blog
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Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)
Button on my blog
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2
Love to make goulash-thanks for such a great giveaway
like Pomi on fb-Julie S Laws