The first of the Isle of Wight heirloom tomatoes are here!
What Are Heirloom Tomatoes?
Most popular supermarket varieties of tomatoes are hybrids, that have been specially bred to encourage long shelf life, disease resistance, uniform colour and are less sweet (as sweeter tomatoes will go bad quicker).
Meanwhile heirloom tomatoes are made up of many different varieties that haven't been cross-pollinated. A pure-breed rather than a hybrid. Our current selection includes: Coeur de Boeuf, Chocolate Marmonde, Green Tiger, Kumato, Black Raf and San Arretino. They are a range of different colours, textures and flavours and much tastier.
What Should I Do With Them?
Celebrate them by making them the star of the show. An heirloom tomato salad needs almost nothing beyond a little salt to sparkle, though there’s nothing wrong with a little basil and a trickle of really good olive oil.
If you really want to cook with them choose recipes where their colours and flavours will come through. I love this recipe for hot charred cherry tomatoes with cold yoghurt or make a super easy puff pastry tart. Add some herbed ricotta if you want, but honestly the tomatoes make a great topping on their own.