*OVER* Review & Giveaway: Tropical Traditions!

So many readers were interested in learning more about Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening that I decided to host a review & giveaway of the product!  

What is Palm Shortening? "Palm shortening is derived from palm oil.. In its natural state, palm oil is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, with most of the unsaturated fat being monounsaturated fat. Palm shortening is palm oil that has some of its unsaturated fats removed, giving it a very firm texture, and high melting point. The melting point of our Organic Palm Shortening is 97 degrees F., making it very shelf stable. It is NOT hydrogenised, and contains NO trans fats! It is great for deep-fat frying and baking, and is not prone to rancidity. Since it has been separated from some of the unsaturated portion of the oil, it is colorless and odorless, and will not affect the taste of foods like Virgin Palm Oil does."

When the shortening arrived I had no idea what to do with it...because I had never, not once, used shortening before! I had always thought of it as such an unhealthy oil that I had never tried it. My mind was having trouble understanding that this shortening was a healthy option!  So, I tried to think of what I could use it for for and some memories popped into my head of when I was a child and my mother would bake. I remember greasing the pans for her with shortening. I got excited because I have been trying to find a more natural replacement for Pam.

I opened the container while we were making dinner and it looked just like shortening, very white and no odor to it. I smeared it all over the griddle and was satisfied with how well it worked, nothing stuck and the oil did not affect the flavor of the food. I am happy I can use it to grease all my pans now!

I had just cut up some potatoes for Jojos as was about to pop them in the oven when I thought "Hmmm, "real" Jojos are deep fried not baked, which I don't want to do, but I wonder how they would turn out if I coated them in a little of this shortening?" So I did. I melted about 1/4 of oil, added herbs and spices, and tossed that with the potatoes. When they came out of the oven they looked amazing! Normally our baked Jojos are a little dry but these were fluffy, crispy, and moist! The kids went nuts over them and begged me to make them like that every time.

Want your own Organic Palm Shortening?

Win it!

Tropical Traditions is giving one Junior *Gluten-Free* Chefs reader a gallon of Organic Palm Shortening!

Mandatory: Go to Tropical Traditions catalog of recipes, find one that looks good, and leave a comment telling us why that recipe looks the most interesting to you.  Your comment will be entered into the contest.  

Giveaway ends on 4/11/2011. I will use random.org to choose a wining comment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to their winning notification before another winner is chosen. Open to US and Canadian residents. Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway.

Optional bonus entries: 

May be completed after the mandatory entry. Leave a comment for each task completed.

*Follow Junior GF Chefs on Google Friend Connect (1 entry)

*"Like" Tropical Traditions on Facebook (1 entry)

*"Like" Junior GF Chefs on Facebook (1 entry)

*Follow @TropTraditions on Twitter (1 entry)

*Follow @JuniorGFChefs on Twitter(1 entry)

*Tweet this contest   (1 entry per day)

*Subscribe to Junior GF Chefs via reader. (1 entry)

*Blog this giveaway (5 comments and leave link)

*Post this giveaway on your facebook (5 comments and leave link)

*Posy this giveaway on any giveaway site ( 5 comments and leave link)

Good Luck!!

ALSO: if you ever decide to place an order at Tropical Traditions you can receive a free copy of their Virgin Coconut Oil book! When you checkout and choose “Referred by a Friend” and enter our
User ID: 6683520 on your first online order, the book will be automatically added to your order!
(When you fill in your account information, there is a place to choose "How did you hear of us?" In the drop down menu, you will choose "Referred by a friend." Underneath this will be a place that says: "Referred by (User ID):" with a place to type in our Tropical Traditions user ID, which is: 6683520)

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided us with free samples of these products to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.