Laughter, cheer and the sweet smell of fresh fruit floated through the Alabama Farmers Federation home office Sept. 5 during the organization’s annual Heritage Cooking Contest.
The contest featured 25 non congealed fruit salad recipes from competitors across the state. Tuscaloosa County’s Cindy Landers scored first place with Strawberry Crack Salad, a dish she’s only crafted a handful of times.
“I’m just so excited and surprised to win,” said Landers, a retired schoolteacher. “I love trying recipes and creating new things. My inspiration for this came from my husband Mark’s love of strawberries and pecans.”
The Landers are cattle and hay farmers in Northport, where Mark dabbles in the pecan industry.
“We had an abundance of pecans from the farm that he’s been shelling, cracking and freezing,” Landers said. “He appreciates the land and what comes from it. That’s why I was glad to share our farm-fresh product with others.”
The group of judges agreed the flavor of slightly salty pretzels, crunch of Alabama pecans and fresh strawberries stood out among the other tasty options.
As the winner, Landers won $150 from the Federation’s Women’s Leadership Division. Second place was Montgomery County’s Katie Hicks. She earned $100 with Sue Sue’s Fruit Salad, while Lee County’s Mary Richburg earned third place and $50 for Mango Avocado Salad with Blueberries.
Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Janet Johnson entertained and educated the crowd on kitchen tips and tricks. She’s a regional Extension agent who specializes in food safety and quality.
The Federation’s Kim Earwood commended the exquisite entries.
“This event is always special,” said Earwood, who leads the Federation Women’s Leadership Division. “Seeing the contestants come together to celebrate each other is such a rewarding moment for me and the entire State Women’s Leadership Committee. Each dish was delicious, but at the end of the day, this is about building camaraderie among women in agriculture.”
