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These are so quick and easy to make and both my husband and I loved them. I made them two nights in a row!
Sheila Scott
I love tomatoes.
Stuffed tomatoes with roasted corn, basil, and cheese? I ate all 6 of them.
So I was really sad to find out that the tomatoes that I’ve been buying in the grocery store are not fairly harvested. In fact, tomato fields in the US have been called “ground zero” for modern-day slavery.
Even today, in 2012, the workers who pick our grocery store tomatoes – mostly immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico, and Haiti – are being forced or tricked into working in Florida tomato fields under extremely poor working conditions.
The Problem
Slavery is not just happening overseas. Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Molloy once called Florida’s tomato fields “ground zero” for modern-day slavery in the United States. In the past 15 years, over 1,000 people have been freed from slavery in U.S. tomato fields.
The Solution
Recipe for Change–a campaign led by International Justice Mission in partnership with the Fair Food Standards Council and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers–is targeting three major supermarket chains this summer (Ahold, Publix and Kroger’s), and asking its CEOs to support the Fair Food Program. Corporations that join agree to pay a small price increase for fairly harvested tomatoes (1.5 cents more per pound), and promise to shift purchases to the Florida tomato growers who abide by these higher standards–and away from those who won’t.
Major fast food companies, like McDonalds and Subway, have already endorsed the Fair Food Program, but the largest U.S. supermarket chains have yet to support this collaborative effort to eradicate modern-day slavery.
Call to Action
Today is Tomato Tuesday in the food blogosphere!
Take 15 seconds, raise your voice, and sign your name to this prewritten letter help ensure that grocery store tomatoes are slave-free!
In addition, you can ensure that you buy fairly harvested tomatoes when you get your tomatoes from places like Trader Joe’s, farmer’s markets, or CSA boxes!
Roasted Corn and Basil Stuffed Tomatoes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
These stuffed tomatoes are filled to the brim with roasted corn, fresh basil, and topped with melted Mozzarella cheese. Simple and healthy!
Ingredients
- 6–10 tomatoes (I used 6 medium/smallish ones)
- 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup fresh sweet corn (canned works, but fresh is better)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- a handful of fresh basil ribbons
- salt and pepper to taste
- grated cheese (I used Gouda)
Instructions
- Wash and dry the corn. Place corn in a sturdy non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium high heat with no oil or butter. Let sit for 3-4 minutes and stir. Repeat until corn gets nice and brown on the outside. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cut the tops of the tomatoes off and carefully scoop out the flesh, reserving the flesh in a separate bowl. Set whole tomatoes aside. Crush the tomato flesh with the back of a spoon or in a food processor until there are no large chunks. Don’t totally puree it – just chop/mash it up.
- Combine the mashed tomato mixture, brown rice, basil, corn and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Add a small handful of the shredded cheese, reserving some for topping. Stir it all together until well-mixed.
- Preheat broiler. Stuff the whole tomatoes with the tomato, rice, and corn mixture until rounded on the top. Top with shredded cheese. Broil for 3-5 minutes or until cheese reaches desired meltiness and tomatoes are heated through.
Notes
I used a muffin tin to hold my tomatoes upright. Worked like a charm!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: stuffed tomatoes, healthy stuffed tomatoes, corn and basil stuffed tomatoes
Tomatoes are yummy, especially when they’re stuffed with roasted corn, basil, and cheese.
They’re even more yummy when they’re harvested fairly. Send a 10-second prewritten letter, make a change, and EAT UP.
Love the idea of stuffing tomatoes with corn and cheese! I’ll have to try this before the season is up. Thanks again for taking part in Food Bloggers for Slave-Free Tomatoes!
Thanks for encouraging me to get involved! What a great idea to use some food blog space here and around the whole internet for something good!
Mmm such a nice side!
These look amazing, and I love the message that goes with them. I bet I’d eat a whole batch too 🙂
What is the nutrition facts on this?
The facts are right there under the recipe. Can’t miss it.
This is such an important campaign and you and the others are doing something really special here.
Oh, those stuffed tomatoes look amazing. I love that you grill the corn prior to stuffing them. What a huge flavor boost. I also like the idea of using the muffin cups. Thanks for passing that along. Kudos on bringing awareness to the plight of immigrant workers (slaves)!
I love these tomatoes with the corn and basil. And Oh yes, the cheese. these would make such yummy appetizers or side a side dish.
Also, thank you for raising the awareness for Salve Free tomatoes
These look amazing! What a great idea for using all our home grown tomatoes when they start getting ripe.
Thanks for sharing about the tomato harvesting, I had no idea.
I love that you brought light to such an important issue! I read “Tomatoland” which delves into detail on the subject, so interesting. Thanks for the great post (recipe and subject) 🙂
Love the awareness & message – and corn! They look great!
These look totally gorgeous!
Well, this makes me happy to have been buying farmer’s market tomatoes & growing my own over the past several years. Love the stuffed tomatoes too–they sound like all the best tastes of summer in one neat package!
Way to go!
I am a newer follower and really admire the journey you and your husband are on in Cebu! This is a great way to use up tomatoes. Thanks to Nicole for organizing all of us 🙂
Agreed! 🙂 Nicole is onto something really awesome with her site!
These look delicious and easy. I can’t wait to try them! Thanks for making us all aware of this issue and for organizing Tomato Tuesday. I had no idea and would gladly pay more for fairly harvested tomatoes. Awareness is a huge step forward!
Thank you! And all credit for organizing this thing is Nicole at the Giving Table (givingtable.org). She has an awesome blog that promotes and connects philanthropy, food, bloggers, and just good stuff. Check it out!
Wow does this recipe look fantastic. As always your pictures are fantastic. Great post. Thanks for the interesting information.
I thought the only chain store to accept the increase in price was Whole Foods…did Trader Joe’s change their mind?
I will be sending a letter. 🙂 Thanks!
Bravo! I love the recipe but the message even more. Thanks for raising awareness on such an important issue and calling us all to action.
This is a perfect summer dish – and thanks for raising awareness about this important issue. I feel that Fair Trade issues around foods like coffee, tea and chocolate around the world come up far more often than those involving produce in our country.
These are so cute! I love this idea. Thanks for raising awareness!
Also, we miss you!!!! So fun to continue to hear updates 🙂 XO Sonja
Lindsay – I had no idea – and I live in Florida. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
Aiy! Isn’t it weird to think that this happens and we just have no idea? Go sign that petition and find some fair tomatoes! Hope you’re doing well Sara! 🙂
This looks delicious~ I stumbled upon your blog on pinterest because of your Mexican Sweet Potato recipe~ can’t wait to try!!! I’m SO glad I found you 😀 Your recipes are awesome!!! Thank you!!!
Thanks Liz!