Taste of Madison

Taste of Madison

Lori Christianson prepares gazpacho to sell at the Taste of Madison Saturday and Sunday on the Capitol Square. Their Santa Fe Trailer is among 70 food businesses participating in the event, which raises money for United Cerebral Palsy - not through the food sales but beverage sales and sponsorships. Some, like their business, are locally owned; some are national chains. All charge $1 to $4 per food item offered. A few contacted agreed to share recipes for an advance taste of the Taste.

Batch by batch, Lori Christianson has been whirring tomatoes, cucumbers and more to create a taste - a Taste of Madison. The resulting gazpacho is one of three items she and her partner Andy Hartnett will serve at this weekend's Taste of Madison. Christianson and Hartnett, a couple who own Santa Fe Trailer, will serve red chile tacos and green chile pork quesadillas, $3 each, as well as gazpacho, $2, at their Taste of Madison stand, number 15 on Carroll Street on the Square near the Inn on the Park.

"It is our version of a traditional Spanish gazpacho with the addition of New Mexico chiles to give it our twist," says Christianson. "It has a zippy spice level and is very refreshing on a warm summer day. The preparation is easy and because it is pureed, the chopping does not need to be precise. Vary the veggies and amounts according to your taste and what you have in your garden."