Garden rewards

Yesterday I indulged in one of summers best treats.

I was in the vegetable garden eating Sungolds (cherry tomatoes) when I realized that it was the perfect day for a truly fresh tomato. I searched and found a couple of likely candidates. I selected a Black Krim that was in the sun and warm to the touch. I picked it, admired it and bit into it. No tomato will ever taste as good as one that is perfectly ripe, warm from the sun and seconds off the vine.

It was so divine that I found an Old German (it’s a tomato) and had that too.

Next time I want to try a Valencia and a Fritz. Those are the only varieties I am growing this year, so I will have a complete sample.

The Fritz is a tomato I will certainly grow again. Large and meaty, good flavor and ideal on a tomato/cheese sandwich. The Valencia is a probable repeat as well. A medium sized orange tomato with good flavor and again pretty meaty. Tastes good in sandwiches and in salads or as a garnish on potato salad.

The Black Krim and Old German go on the maybe list. Both are good but not spectacular. Both have a tendency to crack, although not as bad as some I have grown. The Old German is a good salad tomato but seems a bit small for sandwiches.

The Black Krim has a dark skin, flesh and flavor. I enjoy the taste but that is not an opinion shared by all. Also the fruit ripen unevenly, if you wait until the green is all gone on the top the lower part is over ripe. I usually cut off the green top and use the lower 4/5th of the tomato. It’s a watery tomato as well. I think this helps the flavor but it is messy and unmanageable for sandwiches.

When I get a freezer I will expand the tomato selection again. I will use the excess tomatoes for sauce and freeze it. I would love to have room to grow 15 – 20 varieties a year, but I have a feeling that Jan won’t give up the space where the flowers and shrubs grow. I guess the animals wouldn’t appreciate it either.