In the heart of summer, nothing says fresh and flavorful quite like a ripe tomato plucked from the vine. Each one, nurtured under the sun, is a burst of flavor that connects you to the soil and the hands that tend it.
However, not all tomatoes are created equal, and understanding the nuances between different types can transform your culinary creations. Whether you’re crafting a rich marinara sauce, a crisp salad, or the perfect BLT, knowing which tomato to use is key. Join us as we explore the diverse world of tomatoes, delving into the unique characteristics and best culinary uses of each type. From the meaty beefsteak to the sweet cherry, discover how to make the most of these versatile fruits in your kitchen.
The all-rounders of the tomato family, globe tomatoes are the quintessential red tomatoes you often see at the market. Medium to large in size, these are the classic tomatoes perfect for slicing onto sandwiches, dicing into salsas, or simply eating raw with a sprinkle of salt.
Celebrity: Known for its disease resistance and reliable yield, this variety produces medium to large, round, red fruits with a well-balanced flavor.
Rutgers: An old favorite, Rutgers tomatoes are prized for their rich, classic tomato flavor and are great for both slicing and cooking.
Better Boy: This popular variety is known for its large size and excellent flavor. It’s a great all-purpose tomato that works well in salads, sandwiches, and sauces.
Early Girl: A favorite for its early harvest, Early Girl tomatoes are small to medium-sized with a robust, sweet flavor. They are perfect for salads and fresh eating.
Big Beef: True to its name, Big Beef tomatoes are large and meaty, making them perfect for slicing onto sandwiches and burgers.
Also known as sauce or paste tomatoes, plum tomatoes are the go-to for sauces and canning. Their meaty interior and lower water content make them perfect for cooking down into thick, rich sauces, soups, and pastes. Whether you're making marinara or preparing a batch of homemade ketchup, plum tomatoes are your best friend.
San Marzano: Widely regarded as one of the best for making sauce, San Marzano tomatoes are known for their sweet flavor, low acidity, and dense, meaty flesh.
Roma: A classic paste tomato, Roma tomatoes are small to medium-sized with thick, meaty walls and few seeds, making them perfect for sauces and canning.
Oregon Star: One of the many varieties of tomatoes we’re growing this year, this hybrid tomato was developed by OSU. These are large, red, paste-type tomatoes that have a firm, seedless, and nearly solid flesh that make them perfect for saucing and canning.
Amish Paste: This heirloom variety is known for its large, plum-shaped fruits and rich, sweet flavor. It’s ideal for sauces, pastes, and salsas.
Opalka: These Polish heirloom tomatoes are long and pepper-shaped with very few seeds and a meaty texture, perfect for making thick, flavorful sauces.
These small, bite-sized beauties are perfect for snacking, salads, and roasting. With their vibrant colors ranging from red to yellow to even purple, these tomatoes burst with sweetness. They add a delightful pop of flavor to salads, skewers, and pasta dishes. Roast them with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt for a simple yet sophisticated side dish.
Sweet 100: These prolific plants produce clusters of small, sweet, and juicy red tomatoes, perfect for snacking, salads, and garnishing dishes.
Sun Gold: Renowned for their exceptionally sweet, fruity flavor, Sun Gold tomatoes are a vibrant orange and are perfect for adding a burst of color and taste to salads and salsas. They are one of two varieties of cherry tomato we’re growing for the 2024 season.
Indigo Blue Berries: Our second variety of cherry tomatoes for the 2024 season, these have a deep purple skin and a bright red flesh. They have a sweet, plum-like flavor and a juicy, crisp texture perfect for salads and snacking.
Yellow Pear: Shaped like tiny yellow pears, these tomatoes are mildly sweet and great for adding visual appeal and a mild flavor to salads and veggie trays.
Green Grape: These small, green-when-ripe tomatoes have a sweet-tart flavor that adds a zesty twist to salads and appetizers.
The giants of the tomato world, beefsteaks are known for their large size, juicy texture, and rich flavor. Perfect for slicing thick onto burgers or as the star of a Caprese salad, beefsteaks are a summer staple. Their substantial flesh and intense taste make them a favorite for fresh eating, where their juicy goodness can be fully appreciated.
Brandywine: Another variety you’ll find in your CSA boxes this year, Brandywine tomatoes are known for their large size, deep pink color, and rich, sweet flavor. Perfect for slicing and fresh eating.
Big Boy: This classic beefsteak variety produces large, round, red tomatoes with a juicy texture and excellent flavor. Ideal for sandwiches and burgers.
Cherokee Purple: An heirloom variety with a distinctive deep purple color and complex, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor. Great for fresh eating and adding a gourmet touch to dishes.
Beefmaster: Known for its enormous size and robust flavor, Beefmaster tomatoes are perfect for slicing and using in hearty sandwiches and salads.
Black Krim: A dark, maroon-colored beefsteak tomato with a sweet, slightly salty flavor. It adds an interesting color and taste to salads and sandwiches.
In the world of Community Supported Agriculture, each tomato is a celebration of local, sustainable farming. From the versatile globe tomato to the sauce-ready plum, the sweet cherry to the robust beefsteak, there's a perfect tomato for every culinary adventure. As you unpack your CSA box, think of the journey these tomatoes have made from the farm to your kitchen, and let each bite remind you of the vibrant community and dedicated farmers who make it all possible. Enjoy the bounty of the season and the myriad of flavors that only fresh, local produce can provide.
