It’s a chili cook off with a twist.  A LOCAL twist, that is.

The Green City Farmer’s Market is holding a contest  for the best chili recipe, and just in time for the Superbowl.  But here’s the catch: the majority of the contents have to be local. The only ingredients that don’t need to be sourced locally: chili peppers, spices and oil.  It’s surprising when you realize that everything else CAN be local, because of winter farmer’s markets like Green City Market, Logan Square and others..  and the creativity of local farmers:  from the ground beef, vegetables, chicken, tofu, all sorts of vegetables, beans and more.  There are also several vendors at the Green City Farmer’s Market who sell canned tomatoes of all kinds,  including a Bloody Mary mix  from a farm called Tomato Mountain  that’s used by several foodies as a secret weapon in their chili recipes. And all the ingredients are grown near Chicago. 

If you want to take on the challenge – and share your favorite chili recipe -  go to www. Greencitymarket. org.  And check out the Green City Farmer’s Market at  the Peggy Notebaart Museum Wednesday and Saturday mornings to get more ideas for local chili ingredients. Entries for the Chili Cook Off must be received by Friday, January 27^th.  The actual contest takes place  at Green City Farmer's Market Saturday February 4th when the top picks will be tasted and judged. Winners get tickets to Green City Market’s annual chefs Barbeque Fundraiser in July.