MEXICO — Seventh-graders Davin Targett and Damien Eddings were busy chopping up onions, tomatillos and jalapeno peppers, then tossing them into a food blender.

After adding a few more ingredients, they produced a fresh salsa verde.

Most of the ingredients came from the Mountain Valley Middle School garden, spearheaded by science teacher Lindsay MacMillan.

This is the class’ third garden.

Friday was a day for making salsa, green tomato and pepperoni pizza, and other goodies from  local gardens. Last week, they made pesto, also from the school garden.

During late afternoon, the rest of the seventh-graders took part in a taste test. Most had problems with the green in the salsa and the green tomatoes on the the pizza, and didn’t try it, MacMillan said. Some of those who did try the salsa verde thought it was great. The more traditional pepperoni pizza got a huge “awesome.”

For MacMillan’s science classes, it’s not just about the food. It’s also about science and math. The did price comparisons, worked out garden rows and constructed beds and scarecrows. They learned about the science behind composting.

Kylee Hentschel of Rumford had a rather red eye Friday afternoon. While cutting up hot peppers, a little of the juice got into her eye. But that didn’t blunt her love of being a part of the gardening and cooking project.

“It’s fun and we get to grow and pick things,” she said.

For Lisa Smart and Amber Valley, having a chance to cook in a big kitchen was exciting. And Sierra Gannon, liked the idea of trying something different, like green salsa and green tomato pizza.

MacMillan began the seventh-grade gardening project with a grant from Home Depot.

This year, the Rumford-Mexico 1980-89 reunion group donated money toward next year’s garden.

Much of the garden’s produce has gone into the school’s cafeteria, while some has been sold to raise money for the seventh-grade trip next week to the 4-H Conservation Camp in Bryant Pond.

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