The Current

Each week, Recipe for Change will feature a tomato recipe from a leader in the movement to end slavery, both here in the United States and around the world. You can sign up to get these recipes, along with information and stories on slavery in Florida’s tomato fields and ways you can take action this summer. You’ll receive one email per week between July 4^th and Labor Day.

Carmen Esquivel first worked in Immokalee's tomato fields in 1995, where she witnessed firsthand miserably low pay, lack of rights and rampant harassment of female farmworkers.  She began to observe the efforts of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to address these abuses and slowly became involved, lending the power of her pen to their work for justice. Today she is an active member of the CIW's Women's Group and a strong voice in the campaign to urge Publix (based in Lakeland, FL) to join the Fair Food Program. Her tomato base recipe will help ensure you can enjoy the taste of fresh tomatoes even when their prices are high or they aren't in season!

Fresh Tomato Base!

Ingredients:

• 8 to 10 tomatoes, de-stemmed
• 2 green peppers, de-seeded
• 1 onion, de-stemmed
• 1 head of garlic, peeled
• 3 celery stalks
• 4 bay leaves
• 8 oz. of olive oil 

Steps:

1. Cut up the vegetables in large pieces.
2. In a pan, heat the oil on low and put in the onion, garlic and celery to fry for 10 minutes. Then, add the rest of the ingredients.
3. Cover the pan, stirring occasionally, letting it simmer for about 40 minutes on low heat.
4. Let cool, then remove the bay leaves.
5. Pass the mixture through a fine colander; or, using a mortar, liquefy and separate the seeds and the skin from the tomato base. 
6. Put the base in separate plastic containers, wait until it cools and freeze.

This tomato base can be used for soups, rice or meats. 

Justice Campaigns mobilizes people around the country in support of U.S. policies that will lead to the abolition of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Join us this summer for Recipe for Change, as we campaign for slave-free tomatoes.