Cooking Without Nightshades

Sometimes I start craving food that I know I should not eat. Pizza, spaghetti, barbecue, mashed potatoes... It is not a craving I can ignore until it goes away, so I've found nightshade-free substitutes. It's a good thing I enjoy cooking.

Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have been a life-saver. I've tried white sweet potatoes and purple sweet potatoes as well as the usual orange ones. My favorite for mashed potatoes is the purple. The texture is the most similar to regular mashed potatoes. Be warned if you try this: it is very, very purple.

Peppers

I don't have a handy substitute for peppers. Depending on the recipe, I substitute onion, zucchini, or carrot. For spices, black or white pepper provide some heat without giving me debilitating joint pain. Paprika is usually there for color, so it can be left out completely. I got familiar with my spices, and started getting creative with them. I don't miss the nightshade spices all that much anymore.

Tomatoes

The most interesting thing I've learned to replace is tomatoes. It seems I always have to use a combination of ingredients: pumpkin purée, beets, carrots, even cranberry sauce. At times I read a recipe thinking that there's no way it will taste good, but somehow it does.

Replacement recipes taste a little different from the originals, but they satisfy my cravings. I now keep nightshade-free ketchup on hand, I found a "marinara sauce" I like. I also keep a Pinterest board of recipes for reference. It is a challenge to cook without nightshades, but I have ways to eat what I like without being sick.

And Eggplant?

Who craves eggplant? Ummm...not me.

***
Want to read more about my experience with Nightshades?

So Much Better
Nightshades: How I Found Out
Nightshades Where You Don't Expect

***
Previous Post