Six Tomatoes for Cooking and Preserving

Guest blogging today at the Practical Preserver is Teresa O’Connor. While I put together our book list, Teresa (who tweets as SeasonalWisdom) has the reins. You're in for a treat, as she shares her knowledge of that garden staple - the tomato. Welcome Teresa! Here's what she has to say:

Six Tomatoes for Cooking and Preserving

If you’re craving delicious homemade tomato sauces, pastes, salsas or ketchups – not to mention sun dried tomatoes – look no further than the paste tomatoes.

Beefsteaks, grape and cherry tomato varieties taste delicious in salads and on sandwiches. But when it comes to cooking and preserving, the paste tomatoes are typically the ones to pick.

Paste tomatoes have meatier flesh, fewer seeds and less water than other types. As a result, these varieties create a thicker juice and require less time to cook down to a paste consistency.

Of the many delicious paste tomatoes available, here are six super ones to try:

‘Roma’ – When you say “sauce tomato,” this is what most people hear. The popular heirloom is ideal for cooking and processing. Compact bush plants are prolific producers of 3 inch long fruit that tends to ripen all at once. (Determinate; 78 days)

‘San Marzano’ – In Italy, this heirloom is considered the premier variety for canning, tomato paste or puree. Bright red pear-shaped fruit has little juice and heavy, flavorful walls. Crack resistant, 2 to 3 inch tomatoes grow in clusters on productive plants. (Indeterminate; 80 days)

‘Grandma Mary’s Paste’ – Besides having a terrific name, this old variety has delicious 3 inch red tomatoes, which are perfect for cooking or eating fresh. Plants are very prolific. (Indeterminate; 70 days)

‘Purple Russian’ – All season long, this tasty heirloom produces dark purple oval fruit, which has a meaty, rich flavor ideal for processing. Four inch plum-shaped tomatoes grow on disease resistant plants. (Indeterminate; 80 days)

‘ Principe Borghese’ – This old Italian variety is famous for sun dried tomatoes. Red grape-shaped fruit is dry with few seeds, making it well suited for sauces too. Fruit grows in heavy clusters. (Determinate; 75 days)

‘Jaune Flammee’ – This prolific French heirloom is actually a globe tomato, not a paste. But the golden-yellow fruits with contrasting red interiors make lovely and delicious sun dried tomatoes. (Indeterminate; 70 to 90 days)

Author’s Note: Teresa O’Connor was trained as a master gardener in California and Idaho. You can read more of her gardening, seasonal folklore and healthy living tips at her blog: www.seasonalwisdom.com.

Tomatoes and Other Poisonous Plants

It's amazing, when you stop to think for a moment, how people have learned what's edible and what isn't. I suspect that back in our early history, we observed animals grazing and took a lesson from them. For the most part, animals will avoid toxic plants, unless there's nothing else available.

In some instances, though, plants that don't harm animals can harm humans. In this case, it was probably a hit or miss affair. "Go ahead, Harry, just take a small bite and we'll all stand around for several hours or a couple of days if necessary to see if you croak."

A case of this is the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It's a big, big family and includes well over 2,500 plants. Rabbits, goats, pigs, and sheep graze on these plants and don't seem to be affected by them. However, dogs or cats aren't immune.

Some of these plants are very familiar (tomatoes and potatoes) and others may be a bit unfamiliar to you (jimson weed and deadly nightshade - also known as belladonna).

To make matters more interesting, certain parts of the plant are edible and nutritious. We eat the fruit of the tomato plant and the tubers of the potato plant. The leaves, however, contain an alkaloid substance that is toxic. You may notice that your hands or arms itch after you've been working around tomato plants. Best to wear gloves and long sleeves to prevent this irritation.

Friday, a bit more on this topic, and why green taters aren't good for you.