What can you do with heirloom tomatoes?
They are at their best when eaten raw, but make glorious salsas, fresh or cooked pasta sauces, and fresh juice. Heirlooms can even be bottled or dehydrated to preserve a bountiful garden harvest. Get 15 gorgeous heirloom tomato recipes here!
How do you know when heirloom tomatoes are ready to eat?
Heirloom tomatoes come in all different shapes, colors and sizes, so a uniformly red tomato is not a surefire way to tell that a garden tomato is ripe. Here are some indicators that we use when deciding whether an heirloom tomato is ready to eat: Check the color on the bottom of the tomato– the darker it is, the riper it is.
What is a family heirloom tomato?
Family Heirloom Tomatoes: Tomatoes that have been bred by generations of the same family. Created Heirloom Tomatoes: Tomatoes that result from the cross of either two heirloom tomatoes, or an heirloom tomato and a hybrid tomato.
Can you eat heirloom tomatoes raw?
Raw or cooked, however, heirloom tomatoes are still packed with antioxidants. Delicious and flavor-packed heirloom tomatoes can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are some favorite ways to eat them up: Slice fresh heirlooms on toast with basil and olive oil. Turn them into gazpacho.
What is heirloom tomato good for?
Heirloom tomatoes contain lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. Lycopene has also been shown to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Lycopene may also help relieve the oxidative stress of people who already have diabetes.
How can you tell when an heirloom tomato is ripe?
As an example, heirloom tomatoes are best picked soon after the bottom softens as opposed to letting them on the vine until they're fully colored and completely soft. Another way to tell it's time to pick is that ripe fruits will release easier from the vine.
What is the difference between regular tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes?
While regular tomatoes are grown for appearance and graded into specific sizes, heirloom tomatoes are grown for flavor. Round or plum tomatoes are perfect for the majority of what you need tomatoes for, like chopping, slicing, or cooking.
What do heirloom tomatoes taste like?
Possibly the most popular variety of heirloom tomato, the Brandywine has an intense flavor and is comparable in size to a beefsteak tomato. They're juicy, meaty and flavorful and not highly acidic, making them ideal for just eating fresh or in an heirloom tomato salad.
What is the best tasting heirloom tomato?
"Top 10" Favorite Heirloom TomatoesBlack Cherry (purple/black)Brandywine, Sudduth Strain (pink beefsteak)Chocolate Stripes (red/green striped)Blondkopfchen (yellow cherry)Black Krim (purple/black beefsteak)Brandywine, OTV (red beefsteak)Amana Orange (orange beefsteak)Azoychka (yellow/orange beefsteak)More items...
How do you keep heirloom tomatoes fresh?
Simply cover the cut side with plastic wrap—tightly—and loosely wrap the uncut side. Set the tomato on a small plate cut side down and put it in the refrigerator. Stored this way, sliced tomatoes will last a few days.
Why are heirloom tomatoes so expensive?
Why are Heirloom Tomatoes So Expensive? Heirloom tomatoes are expensive because they are not mass-produced. With fewer available (than hybrids), their price typically stays high. Heirlooms are not disease resistant, their vines produce less per acre than hybrid varieties, and they do not travel well.
How do you cut heirloom tomatoes?
1:014:08You've Been Cutting Tomatoes Wrong This Whole Time - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you want to cut tomato slices. The kitchen recommends situating your clean destem tomato sidewaysMoreIf you want to cut tomato slices. The kitchen recommends situating your clean destem tomato sideways on the board. And then trimming the top away.
Are heirloom tomatoes healthier?
Heirlooms are picked at the peak of ripeness, which gives them greater vitamin content. The rainbow of colours indicate their diversity of antioxidants, which help protect our cells from aging. A good heirloom tomato is botanically a fruit and can have the juiciness and sweetness of a cherry or a grape.
What is the tastiest tomato?
The Brandywine is perhaps most commonly named as the best-tasting tomato variety. It has the perfect balance of sugar and acidity, with that superb old-fashioned tomato taste. Growing conditions can affect the flavor quality more than some other varieties on this list.
What tomato is best for a sandwich?
Beefsteak TomatoA good classic tomato to go with is the Beefsteak Tomato. It's, like the name states, thick and beefy – making sure your sandwich has tons of juicy flavor. There are a ton of different types of Beefsteak Tomatoes.
Do heirloom tomatoes taste like regular tomatoes?
Most plants have the potential to be designated heirloom. This is loosely defined as those plants grown by generations of gardeners, whose saved seeds produce plants with consistent traits. But heirloom tomatoes offer an intense flavor that put them in a class of their own.
What color are heirloom tomatoes when ripe?
Each variety of heirloom tomatoes look different when they are ripe. Some old-fashioned tomatoes are yellow, some orange, some red, some pink, some have stripes and some even look almost black. Some ripe heirloom tomatoes are even still green!!
What color are ripe heirloom tomatoes?
What variety are your heirlooms? Red varieties should be a deep red when ripe, yellow varieties should be a deep yellow, and so on. Tomatoes ripen from the inside out.
How long do heirloom tomatoes take to ripen?
It takes six to eight weeks from the time of pollination until tomato fruit reach full maturity. The length of time depends on the variety grown and of course, the weather conditions.
How big do heirloom tomatoes get?
One of the easier vegetables to growCommon NameHeirloom tomato, open-pollinated tomatoFamilySolanaceaePlant TypeAnnual, fruitSize5-8 ft. tallSun ExposureFull sun8 more rows•Jul 21, 2022
You have some beautiful heirloom tomatoes from the garden, now what? These fresh and tasty heirloom tomato recipes put the beauties to work
You have some beautiful heirloom tomatoes from the garden, now what? These fresh and tasty heirloom tomato recipes put the beauties to work.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
This is a simple yet elegant dish that always pleases my guests. Not only is it tasty, but it is healthy, too. The more varied the colors of the tomatoes you choose, the prettier the salad will be. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Olive Caprese Salad
When heirloom tomatoes arrive, feature them with red onions, green olives and a surprising twist-star anise. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Heirloom Tomato Galette with Pecorino
I found beautiful heirloom tomatoes and had to show them off. In this easy galette, the tomatoes are tangy and the crust is beyond buttery. —Jessica Chang, Playa Vista, California
Heirloom Tomato & Zucchini Salad
Tomato wedges give this salad a juicy bite. It's a great use of fresh herbs and veggies from your own garden or the farmers market. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Heirloom Tomato Tart
Here's a delicious way to use the tomato bounty from your garden or the great buys from the local farmers' market. If you don't have heirloom tomatoes, try regular tomatoes with grape or plum tomatoes. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Summer Garden Fish Tacos
I like to serve fish tacos with quinoa and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you’ve got them, add colorful summer toppings like bright peppers, green onions or purple carrots. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Heirloom Tomato and Plum Salad
Juicy, ripe plums and heirloom tomatoes are a natural pair in this salad from chef Norberto Piattoni of Mett? in Brooklyn.
Heirloom Tomatoes with Ricotta and Savory Granola
To dress up summer's best tomatoes, F&W's Justin Chapple combines them with lemony ricotta and savory granola for crunch.
Grilled Tofu and Heirloom Tomato Salad
This grilled vegetarian dish is a great template for a light summer meal. Don't worry if you can't find the right vegetables: Use whatever is fresh and in season and you can't go wrong.
Heirloom Tomato and Eggplant Gratin
This recipe is served family style in one large gratin dish. For a more elegant look, assemble the gratin in individual dishes.
Sausage and Heirloom Tomato Salad
This recipe gives heirloom tomato salad a delicious Mexican bent, with hearts of palm, cilantro and lime juice.
Lobster and Heirloom Tomato Salad
You can save time on this summery dish if you steam the lobsters in advance.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Tuna Confit
This is chef George Mendes's version of the simple tomato salads common in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. For a shortcut, use best-quality, olive oil-packed canned tuna.
what does 'heirloom' even mean?
Heirloom, also called Heritage, refers to varieties of tomatoes whose seeds have been passed down for generations because of desired qualities and characteristics. Basically, they are older varieties (but not always!) of tomatoes that are prized due to their unique colors, flavors, textures and characteristics.
why are heirlooms so desirable?
Heirlooms usually haven't been hybridized for qualities that include shelf life, color and uniform appearance. They are often "ugly" with deep cracks and bumps. The colors are variegated and range from deep browns and purples to light yellows, pinks and everything in between. The only color I haven't seen is blue!
where can I buy heirloom tomatoes?
You will be able to find heirlooms at local farmers markets, and even some grocery stores. Because heirlooms are becoming more popular and in demand, they are more readily available than they once were. Whole Foods and Trader Joe's usually have heirlooms year-round, but they are obviously better in the summer during normal tomato season.
how do you select a good heirloom tomato?
Selecting heirloom tomatoes is different than your regular, run-of-the-mill red tomato. The colors are only the beginning of it. Each variety is valued for its unique flavors and textures. (See below for more on that subject.)
how do you store heirloom tomatoes?
As I mentioned, heirlooms spoil very quickly. It's best to enjoy them within 1-2 days of buying them. If you need to keep them for longer, choose some that are a little firmer and underripe. They will continue to ripen at room temperature. Do not under any circumstances refrigerate the tomatoes. It will ruin their glorious texture and flavor.
why should you eat heirloom tomatoes?
Due to their lack of commercial hybridization, heirlooms are actually a little lower in lycopene than strictly red tomatoes. But they are full of vitamins A and C, minerals and fiber, and support cardiovascular and bone health. Not to mention they are life-changing in their sweet flavor and juicy, almost buttery texture.
how do you prepare heirloom tomatoes?
Just as you would any tomato. They are at their best when eaten raw, but make glorious salsas, fresh or cooked pasta sauces, and fresh juice. Heirlooms can even be bottled or dehydrated to preserve a bountiful garden harvest. Get 15 gorgeous heirloom tomato recipes here!
Hybrid vs. Heirloom Tomatoes
To understand what makes heirloom tomatoes so distinct from what you can find at the grocery store, let's first go over a little plant breeding 101:
What Makes Heirloom Tomatoes Different?
There's a reason heirloom tomatoes have a growing fan base. To put it simply, most people think they taste better. They were bred for local consumption, with farmers preserving the seeds that tasted the best, so it only makes sense that flavor is the number one priority when it comes to heirloom tomatoes.
Heirloom Tomato Varieties
Heirloom tomatoes can be green, pale yellow, bright orange, deep red, purple, or even chocolate brown. They can vary in size and shape — some are small and smooth, while others are large, lumpy, and lopsided.
Ways to Use Heirloom Tomatoes
We've established that heirloom tomatoes have incredible flavor, and they're just as visually stunning as they are delicious. For this reason, putting them on display in fresh form is best. Try them in salads like this Heirloom Tomato Salad with Rosemary or this Heirloom Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Basil.
