Biography:
I started backpacking in 1995 when I moved to Washington State. Since then, I have backpacked in all seasons and conditions. I have usually only managed time for 1-3 trips a year averaging 2-5 days, and as many day hikes as I can. I am currently getting into condition to summit some of the higher peaks in Washington, Oregon, and California. I prefer trips on rugged trails with plenty of elevation gain. While I continuously strive to lighten my load, comfort and safety are most important to me. My current pack is around 30 lbs (14 kg), not including consumables.

Product Information

Manufacturer:
Just Tomatoes, ETC.!

Year of Manufacture:
2008

Manufacturer’s Website:
www.justtomatoes.com

MSRP:
US$3.65

Listed Weight: 3 oz / 85 g
Measured Weight: 3.4 oz / 97 g (including packaging)
Just Veggies from the “Just Tomatoes, Etc.!” company is a combination of dried carrots, corn, peas, bell peppers and tomatoes, with “Absolutely nothing added”.

Just Vegies in 3 oz Pkg

Initial Report

Nutritional Information (from manufacturer’s web site)		It is available in six sizes (from manufacturer’s web site)
Serving Size: 1 oz. Servings Per Container: 4 Product Size: 4 oz. tub Calories: 100 Fat Calories: 10 Total Fat: 1g Sodium: 40mg Total Carbohydrate: 21g	Dietary Fiber: 2g Sugars: 10g Protein: 4g Vitamin A: 210% Vitamin C: 60% Calcium: 4% Iron: 8%	0.75 oz Snack Bag 3 oz Ziplock Bag 4 oz Small Tub 0.5 oz Large Tub 1 lb Tub 6 lb Bulk Bag

In the last 12 months, I have purchased and consumed three of the 3 oz bags (the only size available in my local stores). The first bag I tried at home, then finished during a day hike as a snack directly out of the bag. The second and third bags were consumed while testing an alcohol stove. I ate some of it directly from the bag when hiking, and used some as a salad topping (at home), but most was added to broth and other ingredients to make soup for dinners while backpacking.
This is a key ingredient to my current favorite backpacking meal – tortellini & veggie soup:
•    8 oz ( 250 ml) water
•   1 bouillon cube (I prefer chicken but any should work)
•    4 oz ( 113 g) mini dried tortellini (I prefer the 3 cheese or cheese and spinach)
•    1 small handful Just Veggies (more or less to taste)
Add all ingredients to pot, bring to boil and simmer until tortellini and veggies are tender. I find it takes about 10min of simmering after the water boils. To save fuel (or when I am using an alcohol stove), after bringing the water to a boil I wrap the pot in insulation and allow to sit for 15-20min.

Directly from the bag or in a dish, I find the aroma of the dried tomatoes to be very alluring and always makes my mouth water. I do love my veggies, and greatly enjoy the added dimension that these contribute to my hiking and backpacking cuisine. I find the veggies when added to my food brighten up the flavors and add depth as well as texture. As a snack directly from the bag, the veggies are a bit dry, but tasty, and are a welcome change from GORP and energy bars. When I first looked at the product, I expected the corn and peas to be very hard and crunchy. Upon first tasting them, I was quite surprised to find them reasonably crunchy but not difficult to chew at all. The texture is difficult to describe, and I find the taste to be addictive. When I start eating them, I find it difficult to put the bag away. The slightly sweet taste of the corn and tomato for me is very satisfying, and the fact that it is nothing but dried vegetables, makes it guilt free. I like to believe it in some way helps to offset my favorite hiking lunch – Spam.
The manufacturer’s web page contains links to recipes and recipe contests for adults as well as kids. They also have nutrition related education projects for teachers. Just Tomatoes offers a wide array of dried vegetables and fruit (organic and conventional) as well as fruit powders, in an assortment of sizes. They also offer gift baskets containing assorted combinations of their products.

I need to add one slight correction to the above. I purchased another bag of Just Veggies for reference while writing this review. The bag was empty before I finished writing this OR.

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