The Buy Haywood team shared 240 samples of threedifferentsalsa disheswith a diverse group of participants! Recipe cards were given out that included a creamyTomatillo-AvacadoSalsa&DivineBurnt-RedSalsa.
Here are some event highlights:
Juan Pablo Peña Mejia prepared the salsa ingredients before the cooking demonstration began.
Farm-fresh cilantro and onions were worked together to create a seasoned base for the salsa.
The tomatoes were blistered to create the Burnt Red Salsa.
The chiles were charred with the tomatoes to create layers of flavor.
Once the tomatoes were soft and the chilies charred, both were mashed together.
The ingredients for the Burnt Red Salsa were added to the molcajete to be worked together. Made of volcanic rock, this particular cooking tool has been in the chef’s family for over 50 years.
Ingredients were then worked together to create the desired consistency using a traditional tool, the molcajete, that has been in the chef’s family for over 50 years.
Guests watched as Juan created the Burnt Red Salsa by using techniques taught to him by his grandmother.
Our youngest guests were the first to taste the SALSA
Even the smallest guests enjoyed the tasting part of the event!
Juan Pena (Guest Chef) & Tina Masciarelli (Buy Haywood Project Coordinator)
The third salsa dish sampled was Dora’s Tomatillo-Feta Appetizer, recipe as follows:
Ingredients
4-6 large Tomatillos
1/2 medium Onion
A handful of Cilantro, finely chopped
1-3 Garlic cloves
Serrano Pepper, finely chopped with seeds (Jalapeño can be substituted)
Salt to Taste
1 cup crumbled Feta Cheese (Cotija Cheese, a slightly salty crumbly Mexican cheese can be substituted)
Steps of Preparation
Finely chop all ingredients and mix in a bowl. Add the Serrano pepper, salt & garlic to taste. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips or use as a topping for grilled fish, chicken or pork.
For the creation of these recipes, our ingredients were purchased locally. We’d like to acknowledge the following farm for their continued partnership with Buy Haywood:
Special thanks to Heidi Dunkelberg&Karen Grogan of Coffee Cup Cafe in Clyde, NC, who came to enjoy the event but stepped up most graciously and helped us serve samples!
When farmers & chefs get together, magic always happens! Steve & Terry King of King Harvest Farm with Heidi Dunkelberg & Karen Grogan from Coffee Cup Cafe
Additional thanks to volunteers,Mrs. Alex Pena&Mr. Alex Masciarelli, for supporting this Buy Haywood event and having a great sense of humor every time someone called out the name “Alex.” As an organization, Buy Haywood relies on volunteer support and we have been extraordinarily blessed by a dedicated and talented team!
Event photos by Mrs. Alex Pena
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