Seasonal Tomato Variety Sampler
Recipe by the EAV Team
Demonstrated at East Atlanta Village Farmers Market on July 6, 2017
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- German Johnson tomatoes – Crack in the Sidewalk Farmlet
- Dr. Wyche Yellow tomatoes – Crack in the Sidewalk Farmlet
- Juliet tomatoes – Scharko Farms
- Sungold cherry tomatoes – Cosmos Organic Farm
Directions
With tomato season in full swing, we took they day to sample some of the different tomato varieties that our EAVFM farmers are growing this summer! You can differentiate tomatoes into some of these broader categories:
Cherry tomatoes: These are small, easy to grow and form large clusters. We tried the orange and sweet Sungold variety which is known as an F1 hybrid (non-GMO). Tomato plants are typically self-pollinating but an F1 Hybrid means that an intentional cross has been made between two distinct and stable varieties. This cross pollination is necessary for every Sungold because seeds from a Sungold tomatoes won’t necessarily produce a Sungold tomatoes.
Slicers tomatoes: Form 2-3” diameter fruit, perfect for slicing on sandwiches or chopping into salads. They’re usually a little tarter and juicier than cherry tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes, with some acid to balance their sweetness. We tried Dr. Wyche, a richly flavored, low-acid, heirloom that produces large, golden yellow, meaty fruits and few seeds. Heirloom varieties are open pollinated, meaning you can save seed and get the same variety from year to year.
Beefsteak tomatoes: Produce large and heavy fruit. These are the big, thick, meaty tomatoes, prized for sandwiches. Varieties can reach 6” in diameter, and can weigh in from 1-3 lbs. The German Johnson variety turns deep red-pink as it ripens on the vine. It is an heirloom variety, ideal for canning or slicing.
Roma (Paste) tomatoes: Dense Italian plum tomatoes with sweet, firm flesh, high pectin content and not much juice- making them perfect for tomato sauce. The Juliet variety is actually a cherry and a Roma, prized for very high plant yields. Their low moisture content gives them extended storage time, and they’re great for drying, topping pizzas or putting in salads.
Our At-Market Educational chef demos are made possible by Les Dames d’Escoffier International – Atlanta Chapter and Piedmont Healthcare.
