Event

A Taste of Ohio's Heritage

Adena was the 2000-acre estate of Thomas Worthington, sixth governor of Ohio and one of the state's first Senators. The mansion house, a premier example of Georgian architecture, has been restored to look much as it did when the Worthingtons lived there. Moreover, the Ohio Historical Society, which maintains Adena, went one step further by recreating the historical condition of the gardens, with heirloom plants from early 1800s Ohio. Adena's mission, accordingly, focuses on biodiversity and education: their heirloom plants are the focus of a popular sale every spring, and children learn gardening skills every year with master gardeners. Some of us will arrive early (at 3:30) and start with a tour of the historic mansion, the gardens, and the heirloom plants. (The tour costs an additional $7 per person; call 740-772-1500 to reserve spaces. Mention that you're with the Slow Food Columbus group.)

At 6:00, everyone will enjoy dinner and an heirloom tomato tasting! We will sample over thirty heirloom tomato varieties, including Garden Peach, Great White, Black Krim, Green Pineapple, Pink Accordian, Sausage, Mortage Lifter and Mule Teamall fresh from the gardens of Adena. We will also try samples of other great Ohio-made food products, like cheeses, mustards, BBQ sauces and more, compliments of A Taste of Ohio. Summer favorites like hamburgers, pasta salad and beverages using Ohio products and Adena's savory tomatoes and herbs will be served. Vicki from Adena writes: "I will be discussing using herbs in beverages and other foods, providing recipes and historic information. Other staff will be discussing heirloom tomato varieties and their characteristics. And finally, our partners at Taste of Ohio will be speaking about Ohio-made condiments, cheeses and other products available throughout Ohio."