Wednesday, August 29, 2012

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.



21 comments:

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    1. Thanks Sue..it was one of those surprise photos that looked much better downloaded then photographed.

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  2. I almost forgot!! thanks for the reminder to hit up Chapters and get my copy. I still haven't had German Gold ripen for me yet, waiting impatiently.. but we have eaten what I thought was purple plum? but maybe it was black plum and we are in love over here. At this point hands down our favourite of the season, next to the midgets.

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    1. German Gold is really a long season tomato so I was surprised to have this one ripen early 'from the inside'.

      Now I must check my tomato seeds (some of which I sent to you)..what if it was purple plum and not black plum...stand by!!! Glad you liked the fruit..they are so prolific..and so rich in flavor. Even greenish, they are ripe.

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    2. I looked up my seed packets and it is black plum. The seeds came from Annapolis Seeds here in Nova Scotia. I may have given you the incorrect name on the packet I sent you. (blush)

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  3. Brenda, your tomatoes are incredible. You are a very gifted gardener.

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    1. Thank you Erin...you are always so kind with your comments. I appreciate them very much.

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  4. Brenda, wonderful that you and your garden were featured in yet another publication!! That is just great!! Not sure if we can get that magazine here, but I will certainly be looking for it! Also, your tomato tasting party sounded like great fun! You certainly have lots of beauties to taste. I bet everyone loved it ... did people pick a favorite?

    ~Michele

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    1. Michele...thank you! Don't think you can get the magazine there, possibly Chapters but not sure.

      Yes, the tomato testing was fun and you would have been invited if you lived close ;-)

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    1. Thank you Monica. So many tomato varieties in the world..wish I could grow them all!!

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  6. It was fun to read about your tomato tasting! There's nothing better for taste than heirloom tomatoes. Congratulations on the magazine article!!

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  7. Hi Brenda:

    The tomatoes look wonderful and were delicious in your salad at the gardening event. (I should know; I had two helpings.) It's great to get some recommendations; I love the colour of the German gold, but really all your tomatoes look like precious jewels.

    :)
    Nancy

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    1. Thank you Nancy, what a generous and kind comment. So pleased you enjoyed the tomatoes.

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  8. I bought a copy of Garden Making and started to look through it while I dried my hair after my evening bath. I turned to the Table of Contents and started to admire the garden at the top of the page, when it dawned on me that the garden pictured was mighty familiar. Could it really be? I turned to the article and there it was...your garden in all its lovely splendour! Congratulations on the magazine article, Bren!
    The tomatoes look yummy. I would have loved to be there for the tasting. So far tomatoes seem to be the only veggies I have a knack for growing. Next year I must try to get more adventuresome with my plant choices.

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    1. Thank you so much Jennifer. Yes, am very partial to tomatoes so was pleased we managed to get some even with the blight. What about attending a Tomato Tasting..any in your area? Good opportunity there to try other varieties.

      As for the fleece, most good garden centers should carry it, and it comes in a few grades of thickness so you might just ask, letting them know what you want it for. Mine is mid weight I think. The product is called Remay and mine came from Halifax Seed I believe.

      "Lovely Splendour"..thank you for that, so very much.

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  9. Congratulation on your feature Bren, how exciting and well deserved for all your love, attention and hard work. The toms look mighty tasty and the colours are beautiful on the plate.

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    1. Thank you Paul. Being in the magazine was pretty special...one typo...should have read 150 acres and not 1,500 re our background farm, but otherwise..a great experience and opportunity to share our garden.

      Still eating the last of the toms..including the teeny weeny Mexico Midgets. Very special.

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  10. Some of the most delcious looking toms ive ever seen! Here in the UK was not good for outdoor toms, invested in my first greenhouse so high hopes for next season.

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    1. Thank you Andrew! They are all heirlooms. We had a very destructive late blight, looked like a flame thrower went through the garden (like your flame machine on your blog)))))

      How lovely to have a greenhouse, a proper one! Fingers crossed for both of us, a better tomato year in 2013!

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