Tropcial Traditions Organic Palm Shortening Review

On Day 1 of rowing The Story About Ping, we learned about China for Social Studies and Geography. So, I thought it would be fun to make homemade eggrolls with Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening.
They were so yummy that we all wanted to make them again. We also made Chinese rice noodles and egg drop soup for The Story About Ping

Then I remembered the small round fried donuts we used to eat at the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet and decided to make good old fashioned raised glazed donuts. :D

I thought that would be a good way to review Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening. =) 

Can you believe I have not used any kind of shortening for 4 years?! I use butter or oil in recipes that call for it. I had no idea what palm shortening was when I first heard of it and found out that it is derived from palm oil and palm oil is derived from the palm fruit. 
"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's organic, good for you, and can be used for "baking, shortenings, margarines and deep fat frying."



Because it is shelf stable, I like to keep a gallon of this in my food storage. It retails for $35.75/gallon, but is on sale now until August 1st for $19.85 (44% off). This is a great deal for a whole gallon.

Here is your chance to win some ~Tropical Traditions is sponsoring a giveaway for one gallon of Organic Palm Shortening. To enter, leave me a comment telling me what you would make if you won.

~Giveaway closed~

Update:


Here's that donut recipe that many of you have asked for: Crispy and Creamy Donuts. =)

It gets its name because it tastes so much like a Krispy Kreme donut. In the past I have always used butter instead of the shortening it calls for in the recipe, but this time I used Tropical Traditions Palm Shortening. The only complaint: I could not make enough of them!


Our winner for the Palm Shortening is commenter #78: Sable. Congrats! And thank you to all who entered and support my love for Tropical Traditions. :D


For extra entries:
  • Do you have a favorite Tropical Traditions product? One you would like to try? Share!
  • Browse TT free coconut recipes and share one that you would like to try.
  • Subscribe to Tropical Traditions Sales Newsletter. {Watch for the free shipping coupons!}
  • Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.
  • If you subscribe in a reader or by email or follow my blog in Google Friend Connect give yourself an extra entry.
  • Tweet about this giveaway and leave me a link to your status.
  • Blog about this giveaway for 3 entries. 
              Your comment is your entry. This giveaway will close on 8/5/2010 and is only open to U.S. residents. (TT will ship internationally, but not for giveaways.) Be sure to leave me an email so I can contact you if you win!

              Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product 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.

              102 comments

              1. I would love to make the raised glazed donuts with the shortening, they look so yummy!

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              2. Recipes I would like to try would be the iced coconut mocha cappuccino's - they look so good!

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              3. My favorite Tropical Traditions product is their coconut oil. Would you consider posting your recipes for the egg rolls and the donuts?

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              4. I subscribe and love your blog! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

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              5. I'd like to make doughnuts. I haven't done that in years and the kids would find it fun.

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              6. I subscribe to the TT newsletter.

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              7. I follow on Google Friend Connect.

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              8. Declareduntohim/AndiJuly 27, 2010 at 1:49 PM

                I would make Fry Bread! Sign me up!

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              9. Declareduntohim/AndiJuly 27, 2010 at 1:49 PM

                I Follow TT on Twitter!

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              10. Declareduntohim/AndiJuly 27, 2010 at 1:50 PM

                I am signed up for the newletter! ;0)

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              11. Declareduntohim/AndiJuly 27, 2010 at 1:51 PM

                My fave product is the coconut oil, followed by the Raw Honey ;0)

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              12. definitly DONUTS!!! Can't remember the last time I had one of those!
                Thanks for the tips on what this is... I've seen it before, but never took the time to research it.

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              13. Deginitly DONUTS, do you know how long it's been since I've had one of those??? Thanks for the info, I have seen this before but never took the time to research it.

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              14. okay so my second comment about the donuts, should say I love the coconut oil, coconut cream, and their lib balm.

                This one will be I love the Orange Cream Popcycles, and Hot Coco!

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              15. I subscribe to the TT newletters... and let's just say sometimes I get alittle carried away!! Their sales are awesome.

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              16. I subscribe to Delightful learning on RSS

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              17. Since I can't seem to narrow it down to one I will share what my favorites are. :)
                For years I have used the Red Palm Oil (not really knowing what it was) our African friends introduced it to us and we used it in a stew recipe they shared with us. NOW I use it in our pizza crust and sauce where I used to use Olive oil. I marinate in it and cook many things. Now that I know what it is I'm not afraid to use it. LOL! As a matter of fact I'm using it often and we love the flavor.
                Also enjoy the Coconut Peanut Butter YUM! Has become a favorite!
                Then last but NOT least the Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil. I made pies the other day and the flavor was WONDERFUL!!!! :) Muffins as well. I'm so excited to have discovered Tropical Traditions Red Palm Oil, Coconut Peanut Butter and Coconut Oil!!!
                Hope you will try some soon!
                Tammy

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              18. the coconut macaroons !

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              19. i love their shortening too- it makes fantastic eggs!

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              20. the smoothies recipe is begging to be made!

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              21. i follow TT on twitter

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              22. i sub to TT

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              23. tweeted http://twitter.com/godlyhomemaker/status/19711378714

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              24. I subscribe to your email letter.

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              25. I have tried the teeth cleansing stuff, but nothing else yet. I'm open to suggestions. Kinda intrigued by the whole coconut oil phenomena.

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              26. Just subscribed to TT newsletter.

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              27. I would like to try the fry bread.

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              28. JensblissfulmomentsJuly 28, 2010 at 3:33 PM

                I would have to have your donut recipe and would make them if I won.

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              29. I would love to also try their coconut oil. I have read so many great reviews about their products!

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              30. I subscribe to your blog through bloglines!

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              31. I think we are going to try the coconut crepes recipe soon!!

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              32. Those doughnuts look amazing!!

                I would make a pie crust with the shortening...trying to find my "go-to" crust. :)

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              33. I would like to try TT Coconut Oil!

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              34. The Easy Coconut Squash Bake sounds interesting...I'm ready for fall!

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              35. I get the TT email newsletter.

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              36. Would definitely like to make some glazed donuts. My husband would be so blessed...
                Blessings,

                dltenhaken@yahoo.com

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              37. I do not like coconut at all. However, my husband loves it and I would love to bless him by preparing the Chocolate Coconut Bark recipe.

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              38. I just subscribed to the Tropical Traditions sales newsletter.

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              39. I am one of your many followers...Thank you for being a blessing and inspiration to us all.

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              40. I would use it to replace the shortening/oil in all my recipes. Sounds like it will make a healthy change in my cooking!

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              41. Please enter me too! leighsfiberjournal at gmail dot com

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              42. Here's my tweet - http://twitter.com/FiberLeigh/status/20003443314

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              43. I can also tell you that my fav TT product is their gold label coconut oil. Very tasty on everything.

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              44. I've just subbed to you via Bloglines

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              45. I'd love to try frying Lumpia with the Palm Shortening! =D
                winitmama@gmail.com

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              46. My favorite product so far is Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil!
                winitmama@gmail.com

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              47. I really want to try out the Coffee Heaven recipe, it sounds delicious!
                winitmama@gmail.com

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              48. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter!
                winitmama@gmail.com

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              49. I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter!
                winitmama@gmail.com

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              50. I follow through Google Friend Connect!
                winitmama@gmail.com

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              51. I tweeted: http://twitter.com/WinItMamaWINS/status/20005306803
                winitmama@gmail.com

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              52. I think the donuts look and sound amazing - can't WAIT to try them! Will you post the recipe?

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              53. I would try it for deep frying my own recipe of Ozark's Cashew Chicken - which is a special meal I prepared for my children's birthday dinners. Served w/top ramen souop for the 1st course then egg rolls & fried rice, a meal that CAN'T BE BEAT!

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              54. I made the coconut pudding squares. The other night. They were quite tasty! Please enter me in the drawing.

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              55. I subscribed to the Tropical Traditions e-newsletter. Thank you for holding this giveaway!.

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              56. Hi there, We just made the recipe for granola from the TT site and it is really good!

                http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/index.cfm/2010/7/21/super-nutty-granola-crunch

                We have not tried Palm shortening, but will certainly look into it. Thanks for pointing us that way.

                God bless you,
                Ladonna Beals
                covenantmom@gmail.com

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              57. We would like to try the egg rolls!

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              58. I would love to make chocolate chip cookies again, they just aren't the same made with oil. I haven't had a can of shortening in the house in more years than I can remember. Oh and a good pie crust!

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              59. I enjoy making birthday cakes for my children. I've always used vegetable shortening for the frosting, but was thrilled to find information on palm shortening!! So no more vegetable shortening for my family!! I intend to make the frosting for their cakes with palm shortening from now on.

                Tanya Powell
                fthm95@gmail.com

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              60. As for the Tropical Traditions recipe.....This week, I used the recipe for Roast Chicken with Coconut Oil recipe and it was DELICIOUS!!

                Tanya Powell
                fthm95@gmail.com

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              61. I've been wondering what I could use instead of shortening as I don't always like lard as it seems too heavy at times. I will definitely have to try this!

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              62. I love TT's raw coconut oil- we use it in smoothies :)

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              63. Subscribe to their newsletter

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              64. I'd make pie crust and then make a coconut cream pie! Thanks for the giveaway.

                s.mickelson at gmail dot com

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              65. TT sales newsletter subscriber.

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              66. Classic coconut macaroons would be the best recipe for me!!

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              67. I have the Organic Coconut Flakes and love them!

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              68. I'm wondering if you can use it like coconut oil. And my kiddos have been hoping I'd make a fresh batch of our vegan ice cream. Carob and cherries. Yum!

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              69. I've been using their coconut oil for years and I'd love to try this shortening! The doughnuts look totally delicious. I've never attempted to make my own...I'm going to have to try it!

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              70. I would make some chicken with this palm shortening.

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              71. My favorite Tropical Traditions product is the virgin coconut oil.

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              72. I would like to try the coconut peanut butter cookies.

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              73. subscribed to tropical traditions newsletter.

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              74. following tropical traditions on twitter @atlmuzikfanzinc

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              75. GFC Follower Ms.Smith

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              76. tweeted about this giveaway
                http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/20267539319

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              77. I would make sourdough tortillas.

                matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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              78. blogged about this giveaway

                http://gotgiveawayinfo.blogspot.com/2010/08/enter-delightful-learning-tropical.html

                atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

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              79. HomeschoolerconfessionsAugust 3, 2010 at 9:56 PM

                The egg rolls look yummy!

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              80. I would love to try the shampoo bar

                matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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              81. I'd like to try the Coconut Banana Split Deconstructed recipe

                matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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              82. Subscribe to Tropical Traditions Sales Newsletter

                matt4melis at hotmail dot com

                ReplyDelete
              83. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter. @matt4melis

                matt4melis at hotmail dot com

                ReplyDelete
              84. follow your blog in Google Friend Connect

                matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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              85. http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/20281766115

                matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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              86. I haven't used shortening for years either, so it is interesting to know about this product! I'd love to try your donuts.

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              87. I have you in my Google Reader.

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              88. I would make eggrolls. My oldest loves eggrolls and this looks like a "healthier" way to make them.

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              89. I have heard so many wonderful things about their coconut oil. I would love to try it.

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              90. I would try the recipe for Strawberry Vanilla Coconut Smoothies.

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              91. I subscribed to the TT newsletter.

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              92. Just getting started with eating whole foods! Love TT coconut oil!

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              93. Subscribe to the TT newsletter!

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              94. Like everyone else - would love to try the donuts!!

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              95. I love cooking with coconut oil~we make cream cheese won tons YUM! I will have to try doughnuts!

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              96. I would use it in my panut butter cookies - which have been missing Crisco, for frying, sauteeing...I'd use it very often. And Chanukkah is coming up so, this will be awesome to have! I will also look at their site it sounds like they have great products to offer.

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              97. I subscribed to the newsletter.

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              98. Coconut macroons are calling my name! Definately a favorite that we'll make very soon! I think I will also try the curried lamb next week!

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              99. I've used Tropical Traditions shredded coconut and coconut oil both. I've never used their shortening, but I do use Spectrum Organic non-hydrogenated palm oil shortening.

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