Another in the ongoing series – Exploring Tomatoes
I love this tomato!
Smaller than the common Roma, with a stout bottom tapering up to narrow straight shoulders, this is one seriously productive plant. This heirloom variety plum tomato is direct from Italy and produces fruit of about 2 to 3 ounces in weight. It is a determinate tomato plant, also known a “bush tomato,” and as such all its fruit will ripen over a period of about two weeks, essentially all at once in tomato talk. For some uses, that is not desirable, but if you are looking for a deliciously mild tomato to make sauce or paste, this is just what you want – a plant that will yield a bountiful harvest over a short period of time. At about 75 days the fruit will begin to ripen, and remarkably, this plant is virtually “self-harvesting.” The wonderfully mild fruit, when ripe, comes off at a touch, or more often, just falls off of its own accord. The plant needs very little staking and sports a low, compact habit. The fruit holds well on and off the vine guaranteeing a generous supply for the kitchen. Martino’s Roma are a vibrant red, meaty and firm enough to stuff and bake. They are also wonderful for use on an antipasto plate. This is an all-around winner, and will be back in my garden next year.
Note: You can click the picture for a larger image.
I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.
Filed in Exploring Tomatoes, Garden, Musings | Tagged: antipasto, bush tomato, compact habit, determinate, determinate tomato, Heirloom, heirloom variety, Martino's Roma, paste, plum tomato, Roma, sauce, self-harvesting, staking
