Iowa City Cook Claims Top Prizes in State Fair Pickle Contest
August 12, 2011
Rod Zeitler of Iowa City claimed both First and Third Places Overall in the Famous Dave’s Canned Pickles competition judged Tuesday, August 9, prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.
Zeitler’s Whole Pickled Beets took overall top honors and his Dilled Green Tomato Pickles Third Overall. Zeitler’s winnings also earned him the Sweepstakes award.
Kaye Rupprecht of Beacon won Second Place Overall with Mixed Vegetables. Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville collected Reserve Sweepstakes honors.
Pickles are foods prepared in a seasoned vinegar mixture or a brine solution to preserve them and/or impact flavor. Entries were judged on flavor, consistency, appearance and food safety.
Additional results below:
CUCUMBER PICKLES
Bread & Butter
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Julie Coy, West Des Moines
3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Sour, sliced horizontally or circular
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Sweet, sliced horizontally or circular
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Sweet, whole
1) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Kosher Dill, whole, pint or quart jar
1) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
2) Gail Friest-Blink, Rhodes
Quick Fresh-Pack Dill
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Erin Kramer, Nevada
Reduced Sodium Sweet, sliced horizontally or circular
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Cucumber Pickles Other Than Named, pint or quart jar
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
3) Karen Jean Harshbarger, Mediapolis
VEGETABLE PICKLES
Beets, sliced
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Beets, whole
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Carrots
1) Erin Kramer, Nevada
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Mixed Vegetables, without cucumbers
1) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Mild to Medium Peppers
1) None awarded
2) Cathy Stahlman, Ames
Hot Peppers
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Dilled Green or Yellow (Wax) Beans
1) Andrew Schmitz, Waukee
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Cathy Stahlman, Ames
Dilled Okra
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Zucchini
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Green Tomatoes
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Vegetable Pickles Other than Named, no cucumbers
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Cathy Stahlman, Ames
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
FRUIT PICKLES
Spiced Apple Rings
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Spiced Peaches
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Watermelon Rind
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Gail Friest-Blink, Rhodes
The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. Due to the large number of classes, Food Department judging begins prior to the Fair in the recently-renovated Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny.
“Nothing Compares” to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.
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