Tasty Summer Treats

Arboretum Hosts Summer Tomato and Salsa Contest

August 10, 2010

The Fullerton Arboretum hosts its annual Tomato Tasting and Sizzlin’ Summer Salsa Contest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, in the open pavilion area of the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum. The event is free and open to the public.

Attendees can see how their home-grown tomatoes stack up to others with the “People's Choice” top three tomatoes selected and posted to the Arboretum website. Entries should be brought in bags, clearly labeled, to the tomato tasting tables. There, selections will be cut up in bite-size morsels for all to sample, savor and select their favorites.

Salsa must be made with home-grown tomatoes and peppers and then the sky’s the limit! Entrants should include 3 two-ounce lidded containers of salsa for the judges and four cups/one quart for guests to taste. Winners will be selected in three categories: Wimpy or Mild and Mannerly (very mild); Now You’re Talkin’! (medium to medium hot); and Hot Cha Cha! Salsas need to be presented between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in order to qualify for the People’s Choice voting. Ballots will be tallied after all entries are judged.

This month, the Arboretum opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and Fridays until 4:45 p.m.

For more information on classes, programs and events visit www.fullertonarboretum.org or call 657-278-3407.