Claire Naisby and Emma Park of Eco House won with their colorful traditional salsa. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net
What’s your taste in salsa? Last Saturday, July 28, local chefs offered different takes on the popular dish at the Davidson Farmer’s Market’s third annual Salsa Showdown. When the judges (market shoppers) were done, a pair of cooks from Davidson College’s Eco House were hands-down winners.
Emma Park and Claire Naisby grabbed the most votes with their “Pura Vida Salsa,” a traditional recipe of tomatoes, peppers, Vidalia onions, and lime. “We tried to make a traditional salsa with a colorful rainbow,” Ms. Park explained.
The recipe included cumin, salt, and “a lot of fresh cilantro,” she said. For their victory, the pair won $25 gift certificates from the market. “Half of next week’s shopping trip,” Ms. Naisby joked.
The Salsa Showdown required chefs to shop the market early last Saturday for tomatoes, peppers and other ingredients. Each team was allowed to bring three non-market items, such as olive oil, lemons, vinegar or cilantro.
Quinn Ferrall put a twist in his recipe – making watermelon and peaches central ingredients. He also used peppers, tomatoes, and a trio of unexpected spices – cinnamon, ginger and paprika.
Jerry Foster, 12, of Iron Station, was the youngest contestant, with his “Secret Fire Salsa.” His was a tomato-laden blend. He didn’t tell us the secret to the sauce, saying only: “It’s got a kind of a kick at the end.” That it did.
Davidson-based chef and food writer Jenny Brule was a repeat contestant from last year. She also offered a mostly traditional take on the hot condiment, with a recipe that mixed three parts tomatoes to one part cantaloupe, and five parts cilantro to 1 part mint. She also had chopped red onion and lime juice.
The Davidson Farmers’ Market will be back again this Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon next to Davidson Town Hall. For more info, visit www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org.
