The 2012 Annual Great Tomato Tasting
Visitors fill out taste evaluations at the grape tomato/basil tent.
Chef Dave Mulé prepares salsa for the crowds.
On what was arguably the most glorious day of the summer, the 2012 Great Tomato Tasting at the Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm drew an estimated crowd of 1,400 to sample more than 100 varieties of tomatoes along with basil, peaches, apples, melons, honey and more.
New to this year's event was a chef demonstration and tasting by Rutgers Dining Services, arranged by SEBS alumnus Joe Charette, executive director of Dining Services, and organized by Peggy Policastro, nutritionist. The demo attracted a steady crowd of tasters who feasted on Smoked Tomato Bisque, created by Chef Peter Imranyi, and three salsas: Jersey Peach and Tomato; Jersey Tomato, Avocado and Mango; and Jersey Tomato, Cucumber and Dill, prepared by Chef Dave Mulé. Download the recipes below.
Chair of this annual event was Nick Polanin (RCE – Somerset County). The committee included Joe Gyurian (RCE – Somerset County), Rebecca Magron (RCE – Hunterdon County), Peter Nitzsche (RCE – Morris County) and staff of Snyder Farm: John Grande, Ed Dager, Joanne Stevely, Pam Petropoulos, and Pat Lobb.
More than 200 Master Gardeners volunteered before, during, and after the event by picking, cleaning, and cutting produce and serving it to attendees. Master Gardeners on the organizing committee were Mimi McWold, Eva Burrell, and John and Peggy Moskway.
The Great Tomato Tasting also tied in with Rutgers Against Hunger to collect nonperishable items from the public. This year the staff at Snyder Farm delivered 402 pounds of donations to local food pantries. Traditionally, the Great Tomato Tasting takes place on the last Wednesday in August each year. So check back here next summer for details about GTT-2013.
