Garlic and Hypertension

Filed in archive Morsels of Info , Recipes on August 29, 2006

Here's a food and health tip for everyone:

Aside from being a wonderful flavouring, garlic (Allium sativum) is also a medicinal herb. It contains the chemical allicin, which has anti-bactericidal and anti-viral properties. More than this, garlic is good for the heart because it helps lower cholesterol and prevents hypertension and atherosclerosis.

A liberal amount of garlic in food is recommended. It can either be roasted, a href="http://www.liketocook.com/50226711/food_come_alive.php">Fried, cooked with sauces or eaten raw with vinegar.

Here's one very simple recipe I serve hypertensive friends on a regular basis:

1 head garlic, crushed
4 small-medium tomatoes, diced
1 cup zucchini, sliced thinly
pinch of salt and pepper
1 tsp. olive oil

In a saucepan, heat oil and fry garlic till soft. Add the tomatoes and sweat till soft, breaking up clumps with a spoon. Sprinkle the salt and pepper. Add the zucchini and cook till tender but still retaining a bit of crispness.

Serve with bread.

Note: You can use other vegetables in place of the zucchini. Carrots and/or greens will also do.