Tomato Tasting

Considering the blight, and the fact that many tomatoes had to be picked green, those not affected continued to ripen indoors and out. So I thought about that Tomato Tasting I attended at Annapolis Seeds last year and....well....couldn't I do that too, on a smaller scale. So here you have it, a photo from my first annual tomato tasting event! Thanks girlfriends, for sharing today, it was great fun.

Not as many varieties as hoped for this year...on accounta..you know. But, just the same, the taste of those we tried were in fact, complicated, smoky, sweet, tart, robust and more. Just six to sample but what a difference in flavor and texture each one possessed. Starting from the top of the white plates on either side, we have Paul Robeson, Speckled Roman, Costoluto, German Gold and Black Plum. Hands down for our taste, we loved the German Gold best. It was ripening from the inside which is why the skin is lime green, but wow, such a rich deep delicious tomato. We've grown these for a few years, and I am so grateful I was able to harvest some. Tomatoes really do ripen from the inside out, as you can see. Paul Robeson and Black Plum were both complex, with that sort of smoky, wine/fermented flavor that's so different from the usual red tomatoes. Black Plum was more intense though (considered a cherry tomato but more a small purple paste size). Both are definitely worth growing again (Annapolis Seed) especially as both have a high yield and seemed to have some resistance to the blight. Also, they last well on the counter in a bowl for a long time (I like my tomatoes warm or room temperature).

Costoluto Genovese is sweetly intense however think mine were smallish compared to others I have seen. (Likely the grower's fault that is!!) Speckled Roman was a bit bland but it's a paste tomato mostly, although it can be an eating one as well. It didn't stand up to the tough heirloom competition but it is fantastic as a cooking tomato. Mexico Midget didn't enter the taste test but should have been there. This is a vigourous grower and if you don't have room for it, leave it off. However, if you have a trellis going into your garden, (imagine this) it can be just as creative to grow as Morning glory..or both together..that would be fun. I have mine trellising at the garden entry with 'North Shore' sweet peas although the sp's aren't in bloom YET! Photo to follow hopefully.

Meanwhile, (have to share) we were delighted to share our garden with the readers of Garden Making in their latest edition. Thanks to all the folks there who were so generous with their time and efforts, helping the garden shine in their publication. "Is that our garden" I thought!! Goodness. Special thanks to James, Heather and Beckie and most especially to Niki Jabbour, who inspires me further with her book, Year Round Vegetable Gardener.