VFW’s 'All-American' chili recipe wins Summer Nights chili cook-off

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1924 won the 2015 Fallbrook Summer Nights chili cookoff on July 10, fending off spicy and savory competition created by other community groups.

The VFW’s 'All-American Chili' won the popular vote among four contenders.

The Fallbrook Village Association, the host of this year’s Summer Nights series, had a significant turnout of residents at the event, which carried the theme, "A Salute to First Responders."

With the most traditional approach to chili, the VFW recipe featured a subtle spice, with the beans, ground beef, and toppings you would expect to find at any American festivity. The chili included optional toppings of cheese and onions in order to dress the chili to one's liking.

The Fallbrook Fit4Mom group provided a healthier alternative to chili. Their vegetarian chili did not lack flavor, despite missing traditional meat. There appeared to be zucchini, carrots, and several types of beans in the chili. While the initial flavor of the chili recipe was sweet, because of the veggies, the heat from the spices accumulated by the time one finished the sample.

The Rainbow Volunteer Fire Dept.'s 'First Alarm Chili' brought more fire to the Summer Nights event. Their recipe included two types of beef, two types of beans, and colorful corn, along with plenty of earthy flavors. Chunks of peppers were visible throughout the chili, and each bite had a hint of heat in it. The savory notes of the chili made for easy eating, but it was not for the faint of heart. Before some eaters knew it, their noses were running and mouths were tingling with spice.

However, the Chamber Chili Pepper's Fallbrook Summer Heat presented the spiciest chili – with barbecued beef, jalapenos, and chili spices, like chile del arbol. The chamber’s recipe was definitely the hottest of the group, and it was wise they served it with tortilla chips. The salty crunch of the chips balanced well with the bright spice of the chili, and created a full wallop to guests’ taste buds.

For those who did not have the chili, the event also featured various food vendors on hand.

While admission to the Fallbrook Summer Nights events are free, chili tasting required purchased tickets, with 10 percent of proceeds donated to local first responders.

In addition to the chili cook-off, the July 10 event recognized first responders such as firefighters/paramedics with North County Fire, the Sheriff's Dept., California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, and C.E.R.T. Music was provided by the Tony Suraci Trio in the beer and wine garden, and children’s activities were also available. For added fun, an obstacle course was set up for kids by North County Fire Protection District.

Two more Fallbrook Summer Nights remain this season. They are scheduled for July 24 and Aug. 7. For more information, call (760) 723-8384 or email [email protected].