2 Questions about Tomato Tastes/Variety

AlittleSalt · July 9, 2014

Today, I got asked two tomato questions that I thought you all might know how to answer better than I attempted to:

1. What are the better or best varieties of tomatoes to grow for making fried green tomatoes?

2. The people I give tomatoes to all agree that their favorite is the Super Sweet Cherry 100s. They all talk about how sweet they are and they like the smaller size. What other varieties of cherry size tomatoes that compare to SSC 100s could I try growing?

I know I could have looked these questions up online, but most online sites are just trying to sell you whatever they happen to have. I am also just learning about hybrids and heirlooms. I like collecting seed and the whole heirloom thing.

SharonRossy · July 9, 2014

There are so many cherry tomatoes. You could try SunGold, Sun Sugar, Riesentraube, Black cherry, the list goes on and on. Can't help you with the fried green tomatoes.

**carolyn137** · July 9, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

Today, I got asked two tomato questions that I thought you all might know how to answer better than I attempted to:

1. What are the better or best varieties of tomatoes to grow for making fried green tomatoes?

2. The people I give tomatoes to all agree that their favorite is the Super Sweet Cherry 100s. They all talk about how sweet they are and they like the smaller size. What other varieties of cherry size tomatoes that compare to SSC 100s could I try growing?

I know I could have looked these questions up online, but most online sites are just trying to sell you whatever they happen to have. I am also just learning about hybrids and heirlooms. I like collecting seed and the whole heirloom thing.

For fried green tomatoes you can use ANY large fruited variety before it starts ripening up/

One variety was specifically bred for fried green tomatoes, salsa, etc, but it really never caught on,but click on seed availability at the top of the page linked to below and there are still a couple of places offering it

http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/w...b=General_Info

As for sweet cherry tomatoes, many to mention, so I'll let others list their faves.

Remembering that one person can say variety X is sweet, and another person tasting that same variety will say no way.

Just too many variables that go into how a specific variety can taste.

Carolyn

daninpd · July 10, 2014

I have to agree with Carolyn that the size of the green tomato (2-1/2 to 3"diameter) is most important. I have some great green tomato recipes. None of them include varieties. It's what's available. Size matters.

My take: Slice it sorta thick- 1/4" is OK, about 3/8" is really good, 3/4" is way too thick.

Then do the flour/egg-wash glue/ bread crumb coating thing with some salt/pepper/cayenne and fry them until crispy outside. Top with shrimp remoulade.

It's not about the green tomato, it's about what you do with it.

AlittleSalt · July 10, 2014

Quote/

Remembering that one person can say variety X is sweet, and another person tasting that same variety will say no way.

Just too many variables that go into how a specific variety can taste.

Carolyn[/QUOTE]

I should have thought of that. An example is like the tomatillos we, personally used to buy at the grocery store tastes sort of lemony and bland, but the tomatillos we are growing in our garden this year tastes sweet. It's not just individual tastes, but also where and how vegetables are grown.

I'm learning...

I am still very interested in reading other people's opinions on varieties.

KarenO · July 10, 2014

Agree size matters

Also flavor too. I find black tomatoes taste really great when they are green. Black Krim for example.
isis candy and super snow white are wonderful cherries
KarenO

NarnianGarden · July 10, 2014

Gardener's Delight is supposed to sweet - mine aren'r ripe yet, so still waiting for the results.

beefsteak · July 10, 2014

With cherry tomatoes I started out with sweet 100's, then tried super sweet 100's, after eating those I never had a desire to try anything else, tasty!

**carolyn137** · July 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by daninpd

I have to agree with Carolyn that the size of the green tomato (2-1/2 to 3"diameter) is most important. I have some great green tomato recipes. None of them include varieties. It's what's available. Size matters.

My take: Slice it sorta thick- 1/4" is OK, about 3/8" is really good, 3/4" is way too thick.

Then do the flour/egg-wash glue/ bread crumb coating thing with some salt/pepper/cayenne and fry them until crispy outside. Top with shrimp remoulade.

It's not about the green tomato, it's about what you do with it.

Glad you agree with me, but it's about that shrimp remoulade.I can't do much actual cooking these days,so I would greatly appreciate it if you could make some for me and hire a drone to drop it in the backyard.

I would need to know the ETA so I could have someone out there to get it since I'm also assuming you'd send it frozen and would need to get it into the house ASAP.

Carolyn

peppero · July 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharonRossy

There are so many cherry tomatoes. You could try SunGold, Sun Sugar, Riesentraube, Black cherry, the list goes on and on. Can't help you with the fried green tomatoes.

DITTO.

JON

clkeiper · July 10, 2014

I grow a variety called "Fried Green Tomatoes". I ordered it from totally tomatoes a few years ago just to try it, It stays firm and NEVER turns red. It eventually urns to yellow, but still stays firm. I have people stop for it all the time. It also has a nice tangy flavor.

**carolyn137** · July 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I grow a variety called "Fried Green Tomatoes". I ordered it from totally tomatoes a few years ago just to try it, It stays firm and NEVER turns red. It eventually urns to yellow, but still stays firm. I have people stop for it all the time. It also has a nice tangy flavor.

That would be the Granny Smith F1 I linked to above.

THings are better after TT was bought by Jung's but when with the original owner not so good,and some of the names of varieties were not what they should be and Jung's inherited some of those./

Are you also saying that since you grow it every year,probably from savedseeds, it hasn't shown any differences which suggests that it wasn't an F1 in the first place? Knowing Petoseed I would not have expected that.

Carolyn

Tormato · July 10, 2014

For fried green tomatoes (double dipped in two batters) I use the absolute meatiest beefsteak varieties that I know of. I want as little gel and seeds as possible. Marianna's Peace, Rose, and Seek-No-Further Love Apple are a few of those varieties.

Gary

Lindalana · July 10, 2014

Another vote for Isis candy tomato, it is midseason for my garden, but oh so very sweet.

Cole_Robbie · July 10, 2014

I've found that yellow tomatoes fried when green are not as good to me as reds. They don't have the tartness I like.

July 9, 2014	#1
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	2 Questions about Tomato Tastes/Variety Today, I got asked two tomato questions that I thought you all might know how to answer better than I attempted to: 1. What are the better or best varieties of tomatoes to grow for making fried green tomatoes? 2. The people I give tomatoes to all agree that their favorite is the Super Sweet Cherry 100s. They all talk about how sweet they are and they like the smaller size. What other varieties of cherry size tomatoes that compare to SSC 100s could I try growing? I know I could have looked these questions up online, but most online sites are just trying to sell you whatever they happen to have. I am also just learning about hybrids and heirlooms. I like collecting seed and the whole heirloom thing.

July 10, 2014	#4
daninpd Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prunedale, CA Posts: 134	Fried GreenTomatoes I have to agree with Carolyn that the size of the green tomato (2-1/2 to 3"diameter) is most important. I have some great green tomato recipes. None of them include varieties. It's what's available. Size matters. My take: Slice it sorta thick- 1/4" is OK, about 3/8" is really good, 3/4" is way too thick. Then do the flour/egg-wash glue/ bread crumb coating thing with some salt/pepper/cayenne and fry them until crispy outside. Top with shrimp remoulade. It's not about the green tomato, it's about what you do with it.

July 10, 2014	#11
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I grow a variety called "Fried Green Tomatoes". I ordered it from totally tomatoes a few years ago just to try it, It stays firm and NEVER turns red. It eventually urns to yellow, but still stays firm. I have people stop for it all the time. It also has a nice tangy flavor. __________________ carolyn k

July 9, 2014	#2
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	There are so many cherry tomatoes. You could try SunGold, Sun Sugar, Riesentraube, Black cherry, the list goes on and on. Can't help you with the fried green tomatoes.

July 10, 2014	#6
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,927	Agree size matters Also flavor too. I find black tomatoes taste really great when they are green. Black Krim for example. isis candy and super snow white are wonderful cherries KarenO

July 10, 2014	#7
NarnianGarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Finland, EU Posts: 2,550	Gardener's Delight is supposed to sweet - mine aren'r ripe yet, so still waiting for the results.

July 10, 2014	#8
beefsteak Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NW PA zone 5 Posts: 121	With cherry tomatoes I started out with sweet 100's, then tried super sweet 100's, after eating those I never had a desire to try anything else, tasty!

July 10, 2014	#13
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,963	For fried green tomatoes (double dipped in two batters) I use the absolute meatiest beefsteak varieties that I know of. I want as little gel and seeds as possible. Marianna's Peace, Rose, and Seek-No-Further Love Apple are a few of those varieties. Gary

July 10, 2014	#14
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	Another vote for Isis candy tomato, it is midseason for my garden, but oh so very sweet.

July 10, 2014	#15
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I've found that yellow tomatoes fried when green are not as good to me as reds. They don't have the tartness I like.