SUMMERTOWN, Tenn. (WKRN) – If you travel about an hour south of Nashville to Summertown, Tennessee, you’ll find The Farm – a community started 45 years ago and is now a modern day eco-village and living example of sustainable living. Watch the video
On Saturday, The Farm is hosting its annual salsa competition. Organizers told News 2 that salsa makers from all over the Middle Tennessee participate in the event.
“Someone came from Pulaski one year and won first prize. So don’t be bashful, come and bring your hard earned tomato salsa, and let us all have a little taste,” said organizer Pat McCarthy.
When News 2 visited with Farm community member Douglas Stevensen, he was busy preparing and canning his own salsa, which was made from fresh vegetables picked from his garden.
“I’m getting everything really fresh. I’ll go out, pick the corn, pick the peppers, pick the tomatoes and come home and make the salsa. You just can’t beat that!”
Hot. Medium. Mild. Peach. Mango. Pineapple with and without cilantro and many more salsas will be available for tasting.
Last year, 13-year-old Obie Orlinksy took home the second place prize.
“I do like cooking. I especially like making salsa; it’s a lot of fun. Mainly I used fresh tomatoes; everything was fresh, freshly picked out of our garden. It was really good,” Obie said.
Beth Cramer’s salsa has won the top prize several different years, and she’s been making salsa for 40 years since she arrived on the Farm.
With her husband Robbin by her side, they say they enjoy the process.
“I love it. It’s great fun. We turn up the music, turn up the air conditioner early, it’s going to get hot, and we just have a good time making it,” she said.
Cramer said the secret to her award-winning salsa is to taste as you go.
“If it tastes good when it’s raw, then when it cooks it will taste better,” she explained.
Douglas Stevenson demonstrates how to make salsa for Nashville’s Channel 2.
Along with salsa, Stevenson points out that there will be local vendors, fresh produce, and arts and crafts available at the event.
“There are really a lot of people who are curious about The Farm community. We’ve been here for over 45 years. For some people we’re still a mystery, so it’s a chance to come in and kind of peak and dip your toe in and see what things are all about here,” he said.
If you’re interested in entering your recipe, bring at least a pint of salsa and make sure you have enough to last until 2 p.m.
First, second, and third prizes for mild and hot recipes will be given out.
For more information on The Farm, visit their website.