Jason "Big Orson" Clabaugh may live in Georgia but he knows his salsa. His Citizen Cajun brand of mango-habanero salsa brings the taste of the bayou to Cobb County.

Recently winning four major awards at the 2010 Fiery Foods Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, his salsas are different because of the proportions of the ingredients. "Most fruit salsas are made primarily from tomatoes and the fruit is kind of an afterthought," Clabaugh said. "Mine is built around the fruit itself and the tomato is a secondary ingredient."

"It's all about the fruit," said the Marietta resident.

Apparently the judges agree, awarding Clabaugh second place in the Cocktail Sauce category, an entry where he used the salsa to top fresh oysters on the half-shell. Citizen Cajun placed second overall in the Salsa category in a People's Preference competition. "Just about everybody that tries it seems to like it," Clabaugh said, "Unless you have a problem with mango or habanero peppers, it's a very appealing flavor."

Clabaugh also won third place in both the Fruit Salsa and Habanero Salsa categories. "Those are highly competitive categories with close to a hundred different products competing for the prizes," said the former college library administrator. "I'm very proud to have won those, especially in the first year I entered the contest."

Clabaugh, who began making the salsa while living in New Orleans often took it to gatherings of friends and family. After friends began ordering it from him, he was making 250 pints at a time to satisfy demand.

Citizen Cajun, a versatile product, is perfect for easy holiday entertaining. The sweetheat flavors of the salsa can dress up any dish. Clabaugh's seafood spread is quick an easy example of using the salsa in an appetizer.

For other recipes or to order his salsas visit www.bigorson.com. Find all four heat levels of Citizen Cajun at the Cajun Meat Company in Marietta and The Butcher's Block and Butchers' Market in Woodstock.