The initiative is being called “The Summer of TAG” – a nod to the Montreal native’s racing nickname. Various events are planned:
• Tagliani will be speaking at schools in Toronto and Montreal in early May about his own experience with food allergies, as well as the importance of vigilance for anyone living at risk for anaphylaxis.
• You can also take part in a contest to create a design for Tagliani’s racing helmet, which he will wear during the Toronto Indy, and a special one-on-one race to benefit Anaphylaxis Canada.

The veteran driver is no stranger to anaphylaxis himself:

“As someone with a severe food allergy to peanuts and tree nuts, I can tell you that an anaphylactic reaction is far more frightening than driving a race car at 400 kilometres (250 miles) per hour,” Tagliani said in a press release, “That’s why I always carry my EpiPen with me, wherever I go.”

Click here to read the full press release

Serves 4 to 6
Free of: All top allergens and gluten-free.

Manicotti

Ingredients

• 12 oven-ready manicotti noodles* [use gluten-free, egg-free]
• 2 cups (475 mL) zucchini, diced
• 1 cup (250 mL) eggplant, diced
• 1 cup (250 mL) leeks, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (250 mL) tomato, seeded, diced
• 4 tbsp (60 mL) fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated parmesan cheese or non-dairy mozzarella shreds

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, eggplant, leek and tomato and sauté until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Toss vegetables with fresh basil, salt and pepper.
4. Using a small spoon, fill manicotti shells with vegetables, and arrange in one layer in a lightly oiled baking dish.
5. Pour tomato sauce (recipe below) over (gluten-free) manicotti and bake for 40 minutes,or until pasta is cooked through.
6. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese or non-dairy mozzarella shreds. Serve.

Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 (540 mL) cans diced tomato
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 2 tbsp (60 mL) tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft.
2. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, salt and pepper and cook for a further 10 mins.
3. Remove from heat and, in a food processor, purée until smooth.
4. Pour over manicotti and bake as noted.

Recipe by Food Editor Simon Clarke

First published in Allergic Living magazine.
To subscribe, click here.

** Disclaimer ** for any and all recipes associated with Food Allergy Awareness Day on TasteSpotting: “Please note that this recipe has not been reviewed by FAI or medical experts. Avoidance is the only accepted course of treatment for food allergy. Always verify ingredients or food products by checking with the manufacturer and/or your physician to ensure that any foods are safe for your unique allergy issues.”

More Pasta Recipes:

• Nut-free Pesto Sauce
• Bolognese Sauce
• Sauce alla Puttanesca

© Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.

Erica Andert, mom of a 6-year old with food allergies, took the initiative to send a letter to the governor of Indiana. And she got action; the governor signed the proclamation. “If even one person sees and realizes the impact food allergies can have, then asking for awareness in Indiana was well worth it,” she says.

- Visit FAAN’s website for a sample proclamation to send to your governor.

- Have you sent a letter to your governor? Let us know on Facebook.

* In Canada, May is Food Allergy Awareness Month.

- Anaphylaxis Canada is seeking nominations for “Difference Makers”, people who have improved the lives of those with food allergies. Nominate someone at: www.anaphylaxis.ca.

- The EpiPen Take Action Event is a series of fun, family walk/runs organized in support of the Allergy/Asthma Information Association.

This year, the events take place:

Saturday, May 5 – Ottawa
Saturday, May 12 – Winnipeg
Saturday, May 12 – Brooklin, Ont. (north of Whitby)
Saturday, May 26 – Windsor, Ont.
Sunday, May 27 – Mississauga

For more information on participating or donating, click here.

A substantial portion of the money raised at the events goes to the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation (CAIFF) in support of allergy research and patient education.