This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NatureSweet. All opinions are 100% mine. 
Do not be fooled when you see NatureSweet Eclipses tomatoes at your local supermarket.
They may have a deeper color than a traditional red or green tomato, but that color packs a rich, bold flavor and is loaded with health benefits.
Why I Eat Dark Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a key component in a healthy human diet. Tomatoes are a major source of lycopene followed by beta–carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
During the ripening process, tomatoes go through a change in pigmentation.
All tomatoes start green, then as lycopene accumulates in the skin surface of a tomato, it turns orange – then red – eventually turns dark as in NatureSweet Eclipses Tomatoes.
The dark pigment correlates with an increased level of anthocyanins; molecules that hold elevated antioxidant levels.
Read my article about eating lycopene here: http://joannsfoodbites.com/lycopene/
Harold McGee explains in his book On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, you can gauge healthfulness of vegetables and fruit with your eye, “the deeper its color, the more healthful the food is likely to be. The more light a leaf gets, the more pigments and antioxidants it needs to handle the energy input, and so the darker the coloration of the leaf,” (page 257).
Other Beneficial Nutrients From NatureSweet Eclipses Tomatoes
They provide small amounts of several useful dietary minerals, such as magnesium and potassium which regulate blood pressure.
According to the National Institute of Health, regular consumption of dark tomatoes along with other anthocyanin-rich foods has been found to offer protection against coronary heart disease.
Because dark tomatoes are full of vitamin C, a known anti-inflammatory, they are a good food to consider if you suffer from arthritis.
With almost 95% water content, tomatoes are great in hot weather because they counteract dehydration.
What Makes NatureSweet Eclipses Unique
NatureSweet grows tomatoes in various shapes, sizes, and colors; however, the Eclipses are the best slicing tomato in the NatureSweet Family.
NatureSweet does not grow its product in traditional soil.
Instead, they use coconut husks, which are disease resistant and require less water.
To protect against extreme weather and to allow year-round harvesting, NatureSweet grows their tomatoes in greenhouses.
Associates take pride in providing the sweetest and freshest tomatoes available. The crop is hand-picked and shipped within 24 hours of harvest.
Want to find where you can buy NatureSweet Eclipses Tomatoes?
My Recipes Using NatureSweet Eclipses Tomatoes
We love fresh salsa and the Eclipses tomato provides perfect sweet fresh flavor, especially in the summertime.
My quick salsa can be prepared and served in under 10 minutes.
Prepped and served in less than 20 minutes, I use only seven easy to acquire ingredients.
Here are some other delicious recipes using fresh Nature Sweet Eclipses Tomatoes
NS Eclipses Hunky Hoagies link
Pork Tenderloins Grilled Eclipses Tomato Chimichurri link
Minted Watermelon Eclipses Tomato Salad
Do not be deceived by their darker color. NatureSweet Eclipses Tomatoes have a higher nutrient content, along with a rich complex, sweeter flavor than the traditional red tomatoes.
For more information, check out their website at http://naturesweet.com/
More from JoAnn’s Food Bites: Bruschetta Crostini
Simple Bruschetta Crostini
Ingredients
- crostini
- olive oil
- garlic
- Nature Sweet Eclipse Tomatoes thinly sliced
- Fresh Basil sliced into ribbons
- Mozzarella Cheese thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450º
- Place crostini in an even, flat layer on a baking sheet
- Baste on your favorite olive oil. I love the basil infused option for this application.
- Place a thin slice of Nature Sweet Eclipses Tomato on each crostini
- Place a group of basil ribbons on top of the tomato slices
- Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese
- Bake for about 6-8 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
JoAnn's Food Bites Fresh Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 small red onion quartered
- 1 jalapeno, seeded
- 1/4 cup fresh, cilantro leaves only cannot use dried
- 4 NatureSweet Eclipses Tomatoes diced
- 4 NatureSweet Glory Tomatoes whole
- 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice
Just a pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the mixture.
- Add remaining mixture to a blender.
- Blend for 10-15 seconds. Turn off blender if necessary and tamper down.
- Pour blender contents into a serving bowl and gently mix in the reserved salsa, which gives the salsa a chunky style.
- Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to a week.
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