I like gazpacho? Who knew?

As some of you know, I have a...cautious relationship with tomatoes and tomato products. I tend to like them cooked/warm or dried in anything, or even alone. Raw or cold, they are one of the very few foods in my life that are proving to be an acquired taste. I have worked to acquire that taste because tomatoes are so good for you, and they always LOOK so tasty. By now, I can truly enjoy the taste of a perfectly ripe, fresh tomato. When I was cutting my first homegrown heirloom tomato for a salad the other day, I found myself happily snacking on the plain tomato pieces, and LOVING the taste. Tomato juice, on the other hand, continues to be a stumbling block. It makes me go "ew." I always figured gazpacho would be the same.

I went to Trader Joe's this afternoon to get some stuff I needed, including a tomato-based vegetable soup meant to be served hot. I like that stuff. As always, I went to see what they were offering in the back for free samples. This time, it was little Dixie cups of gazpacho with a dollop of cilantro-chive yogurt dip. I decided to give it a whirl. Hey, it was free. I was blown away by the yum. Yesterday, putting salsa on my breakfast burrito, I thought that I could easily eat salsa with a spoon by the bowlful, though it would be easier with mild salsa. Well, this was much like a mild salsa, but with the sweetness of cucumber added. NOM. I ended up getting a container of the gazpacho and the dip (and some carrots to eat with the rest of the dip), and made a little cup of that my afternoon snack.

Now I need to make this stuff at home! With my homegrown tomatoes, when I have enough ripe ones! Hmm. The TJ's version has tomatoes, tomato juice, cucumber, bell pepper, cilantro, cider vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne. I can do that, easy-peasy.

So. I am in love with gazpacho. I think this is a very good thing. Talk about healthy!