TomatoBash is coming!
- an heirloom tomato tasting event.
We are in the midst of preparing for our annual heirloom tomato tasting event that will take place on the 25th of September, at the same location as last year: Picchetti Winery in Cupertino. We will have over 40 varieties of carefully selected heirloom tomatoes for tasting. The tomatoes will come from small, local farms and home gardens - so you can taste the difference. From Jersey Devils through Green Zebras and Cherokee Purples, you will enjoy the diversity and rich, complex flavors! We will have all the colours and types: cherry, slicers and paste, yellow, white, pink and purple, reds of course, and those green with envy. Let's not forget the bi-colors, specifically incredibly beautiful creations from Wild Boar Farms, such as Beauty King or Berkeley Tie-Dye. Complementing the tomatoes will be samplings of gourmet dishes, prepared by a local chef with recipes to take home!
Heirloom tomatoes are "everything supermarket tomatoes wish they could be—juicy, intense, and full of flavor" according to Eric Rupert from Fine Cooking. The variety in their color indicates the variety in their taste, from citrus undertones to hints of smoky flavors.
Heirlooms are also open pollinated, meaning seeds of the parent plants will produce new generations of the same plants. Thus we will have seeds of most of the presented varieties available for purchase for those who would like to grow the best tasting tomatoes in their home gardens (As well as seed saving tips for you guerilla gardeners!). For the "cook it yourself" folks we will have a talk on how to make your own heirloom tomato sauce, with samplings. Check this page, from time to time, on updates about this event!
Finger foods will be served to complement the tomatoes and cleanse the palate (including exquisite olive oils and barrel aged vinegars from local gourmet food producers, Hare Hollow). Wine and non alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from the winery. The venue will be held outdoors in the beautiful Bay Area peninsula location at the grounds of the Picchetti Winery in the foothills of Cupertino, near 280 and 85 highways.
Admission is $25 with early registration (till 31st of August) or $32 thereafter, and $40 at the door for adults, so get your tickets early! Children under the age of 6 come free, ages 7 - 14 cost $12, $17 and $23 as the time draws nearer.
We encourage participation from farms and local home growers. If you grow organic tomatoes and would like to showcase them at the event, contact us as soon as you can.
This is a not for profit event organized by gardening and tomato enthusiasts. Our aim is to share our joy of fresh, ripe, gourmet heirloom tomatoes! All proceeds go to cover event costs. If you would like to assist in organizing the event or to volunteer, please contact us today!
