A longtime favorite in the garden, the tomato is a champion in the kitchen as well. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that the average American consumed just over twenty pounds of fresh tomatoes in 2008. The tastiest of these, as any savvy epicure will affirm, were homegrown!
Of the literally thousands of types of tomatoes, only a few make it onto grocery store shelves. Sadly, these are not the most flavorful or beautiful varieties, but the ones that hold their shape through shipping and keep well on the shelf.
Today's home gardener has access to a wide, and sometimes bewildering, array of tomato seeds. These five varieties are easy to grow, even easier to eat, and guaranteed eye-catchers.
Black From Tula
An heirloom beefsteak tomato that hails from the Russian city of Tula, the mature fruits range from a deep reddish brown to purple-toned black, like a very ripe cherry. The flesh of the Black from Tula is almost as dark as the skin, and the seeds and pulp can be almost black. Its rich, slightly smoky flavor is perfect for a simple sauce with minimal seasoning, or for adding punch to a salad. Matures in 75 days.
Pineapple
This is another beautifully colored heirloom beefsteak. Weighing in at up to two pounds, mature fruits are brilliant yellow, often shot through with stripes of bright orange or red. These stripes are also visible in the flesh of the tomato, making fresh slices a striking addition to any vegetable platter. Matures in 90 days.
Sweet Olive Grape
Smaller and often sweeter than a cherry tomato, this firm, olive-shaped variety is a big hit with kids. Mature fruits may weigh as little as half an ounce, and are bright red with smooth, flawless skin. While these can make a tasty sauce, their fresh, light flavor and tiny size make them an ideal snack straight from the vine. Though technically indeterminate, this plant can easily be supported with a single stake and tie or a cheap tomato cage. Matures in 65 days, harvest as early as 100 days!
Green Zebra
Perhaps the most visually striking of the green tomatoes, this beauty ripens to an emerald green with numerous yellow stripes. The flesh remains bright green as the fruit matures, providing a lovely contrast when used in tomato salads. Sweet with a tart zing, this is an intensely flavorful tomato. Matures in 75 days.
Pink Accordion
A pleasantly sweet and mild tomato, the Pink Accordion's real claim to fame is its folded, accordion-like shape. When sliced perpendicular to the folds, it produces lovely, asymmetrical tomato "stars"! It is also firm-fleshed and slightly hollow on the inside, making it a nice choice for stuffing. Matures in 90 days.
While these varieties are unusual at the grocery store or produce stand, the plants and seeds are now widely available at specialty nurseries and via the internet. With the exception of the Sweet Olive Grape Tomato, these are all indeterminate plants, which must be securely staked or caged.
A final caution: homegrown vegetables can be habit-forming! To prevent a bitterly disappointing return to grocery store fare over the winter and spring, plant extra crops to sun-dry, can, or freeze.
Sources:
USDA Vegetables and Melons Yearbook
100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden by Carolyn J. Male
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