Sat 8/22 @ 9AM-noon
Every year as summer winds to a close, the Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market at Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Howe Meadow, celebrates peak tomato harvest season with it annual Tomato Tasting Festival.
Almost three dozen types of tomatoes with be available for visitors to sample, allowing them to discover that tomatoes aren’t all red slicers — some are light pink, some are yellow, some are brown, lavender or white, each with its own distinctive flavor. And they come in every size from tiny grape tomatoes to giant beefsteaks. Once you’ve tasted, you’ll want to hit up the vendors and take some of your favorites home.
The festival also features live music and kid-friendly special activities, as well as the usual shopping from the vendors — some of whom will have special tomato-themed products on hand such as jellies, spreads, focaccia and (gulp) tomato lemonade? (We’ll pass.) In addition, you can join some Northeast Ohio’s top professional chefs — Doug Katz, Jeremy Umansky, Liu Fang and Vinnie Cimino — in voting for your favorite tomatoes. Umansky and chef Jake McDaniel of Brecksville’s Masu will also be demonstrating ways to prepare and use tomatoes.
The festival, taking place along with the regular Saturday market, is free and open to the public. There’s a $5 suggested donation to help support the event.