Chili and salsa contest raises funds for local veterans

The Brawley American Legion Post 60 hosted a chili cook-off and salsa contest on Saturday to raise funds for local veterans’ programs.

Legionnaires from 5 districts in Southern California came together with local community to show off their cooking skills and support.

Martha Romano, from Pacific Palisades American Legion Post 283, said, “I’m here to support the American Legion family. Every year, they’ve been doing this for 30 years.”

Some shared a little of their secret ingredients for their chili and salsa.

Edward Romero, Riverside American Legion Post 289, said, “This is my mom’s recipe. I’ve been having this salsa for over 50 years. This is homemade salsa.”

“I’m using fresh jalapenos and serrano chilis. I have another salsa that I have, [I use] chile de arbol and tomatillo sauce,” Romano said.

And some refused to share all of their recipes.

“There’s other ingredients in it but I can’t tell you because it’s a family secret. I could tell you but then you know the outcome,” Romero said laughing.

The money goes to helmets for heroes.

Tracy T-Dog Rascoe, El Centro American Legion Post 25, said, “It’s a program that we started just last year where all the change, every penny counts to help our California veterans.”

They said it’s a way of saying thank you to veterans.

“If you enjoy the freedoms that you have every day you should give back. They gave to us, so we’re giving back and thanking them for their service,” Romano said.

“Love and care. Go pour and pour love and care right into that chili,” Rascoe said.