Tomato Tasting and Sizzlin’ Summer Salsa Contest

The Fullerton Arboretum will host its annual Tomato Tasting and Sizzlin’ Summer Salsa Contest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6. The free, public event will be held in the open pavilion area of the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum, located on the Arboretum grounds.

Caption: Salsa entries will range from mild and mannerly to Hot Cha Cha! at the Aug. 6 Tomato Tasting and Sizzlin' Summer Salsa Contest at the Fullerton Arboretum. Photo by Kelly LacefieldDownload Photo

For the tomato tasting, home-grown tomatoes should be brought in clearly labeled bags to the tasting tables. They will be cut into bite-sized chunks for all to sample. Tasters can submit a vote for their favorite, and three entries will be selected as the “People’s Choice” for the top tomatoes of 2011. The winners will be posted on the Arboretum website.

The only requirement for the salsa entries are that they must be made with home-grown tomatoes and peppers. Contest entrants are asked to provide 3 two-ounce containers of salsa with lids for the salsa judges and four cups of salsa for guests to taste. Three categories will be selected: wimpy or mild and mannerly (very mild); Now You’re Talkin’! (medium to medium hot); and Hot Cha Cha! (very hot). Entries must be at the check-in table between 10 and 10:30 a.m. to be considered for judging. Winners will be announced and posted on the Arboretum website.

The 26-acre Fullerton Arboretum, opened in 1979 at the northeast corner of the Cal State Fullerton campus, is the largest and oldest botanical garden in Orange County.

For further information, contact the Fullerton Arboretum at 567-278-4010 or visit the Arboretum website.

Aug. 2, 2011