Brown tomatoes!!!!

[QSis]

There I was in the supermarket, looking for fresh basil in the herb section, and finding none.

So, I wandered my way around the various produce islands (produce is no longer in a straight aisle), and found a ton of basil in with the tomatoes. And the first thing I saw was a cello-pack of five BROWN tomatoes.

'Course, I had to have them. At $3.99.

Took them home and had to photograph them right after washing.

Their color is fascinating, ranging from brown in the store and in the house, to greenish, reddish-brown in the sunshine.

The tomatoes were nice and ripe, and tasted a lot better than regular store-bought tomatoes this time of year. I will get them again. In fact, I will try to save some seeds to grow them myself --- they look steakish, when sliced.

For dinner tonight, we had locally-made cheese-ravioli, with homemade pesto (from an Italian neighbor). I made a salad of these sliced brown tomatoes, arugula, herbed feta, olive oil, balsamic, s & p.

They are a product of Mexico .... Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Lee

 

[Fisher's Mom]

Those are beautiful, Lee. An unusual twist that would be really attractive on the table. Surprising, like blood oranges.

 

[Cooksie]

They sure look good on that salad . I'm still buying cherry tomatoes because our big ones still don't look too great.

 

[Sass Muffin]

Those look really good Lee.
Now you've got me hoping they can be found around here!
Your salad is beautiful

 

[Lefty]

Hey Lee, how about you overnight me a big ole BLT. Or better yet, drive it up, I am only 3 hours away. (2 the way you Bostonians drive)

 

[QSis]

A BLT, Lefty!!!!! What a great idea - thanks!

I will cherry-smoke some bacon this weekend, and send you a big fat brown-tomato BLT!!

Lee

 

[lilbopeep]

hmmmmmmm strange beautiful salad

 

[lifesaver91958]

Since I've never even heard of Brown tomatoes so I find them to be very interesting.

 

[Maverick2272]

The wife has some growing in the garden that are maroon in color. When she brought in last years crop and sliced them up, it actually looked like blood coming out of them. I forget what variety they are, but they were very hearty and tasty, just had to brace myself to eat them at first, LOL.

 

[QSis]

Well, I grew one plant of these, the variety name is "Black Prince" (great name!).

The plant bore fruit very early, but the foliage was stunted and it turned brown and died.

The tomatoes were not as brown, either inside or outside, as the Mexican ones I bought in the store. But the flavor was delicious! Delicate, tomato-ey flavor, low acidity.

I will try them again next year!

Here is one sliced, with a few of my Sun Gold cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes.

Lee

 

[PanchoHambre]

Nice Q... I had a "black krim" in this year but I think it is one of the casualties. Amazing how tomatoes can taste and what the supermarket would like you to think they should taste like

 

[QSis]

I found some of these brown beauties in the supermarket this week! They are smaller than the first ones I bought.

Normally, I don't buy tomatoes this time of year, but these actually have flavor and make a quick salad with feta, s & p, a splash of olive oil and balsamic, to accompany my (storebought) ravioli in a creamy sauce.

Hmmmm, looking at my last photo, I can see greenery is missing! LOL!

Lee

 

[ChowderMan]

check this out:

http://www.delish.com/food/grocery-products/kumato-tomato

at first the pix made me think of Cherokee Purple - but "brown" is _in_ (g)

 

[luvs]

i've gotten those tomatoes before! can't wait for tomato season.

 

[QSis]

Yes, Chowder, that's it! My package said "Kumato"! Thanks for the link!

I definitely recommend these to anyone hankering for good-tasting tomatoes this time of year!

Lee

 

[Bells]

I grow purplish brown tomatoes from seeds that I get from an Indian friend. They are really good. I'm hoping to get some more heritage seeds from him this year. I can't wait to get planting, especially tomatoes. Yours are likely kumatoes but still superior to those things usually sold in grocery stores. Some people seem content with vine tomatoes in the winter but not me. Big, big difference.

Yes, save some seeds. I hope they grow for you.

 

[QSis]

Oh, Bells, I never thought of saving the Kumato seeds!

GREAT IDEA!!! Thanks!

Lee

 

[QSis]

Had another salad with these great Kumatoes on the 4th, on a bed of homegrown Buttercrunch lettuce.

I am growing a brown variety called "Black Krim". I am SO hoping to have luck with this one plant!

Lee

 

[QSis]

I've been experimenting with growing my own brown tomatoes.

This year, I tried a variety called "Cherokee Purple". Not too prolific, but what it yields has a different and wonderful flavor! Good enough for me to grow them again next year.

Lee

 

[QSis]

More Cherokee Purple tomatoes.

Then a photo with the CP tomatoes vs some of my regular red tomatoes. But the pictures don't do them justice.

Wish you all could taste them!

Lee