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The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
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Cherokee Purple tomatoes get their name from their skin, which boasts rich, dusty shades of purple and pink with shoulders that are often green. Its flesh is a deep rose with wet and red, sometimes green, pockets of seed. The Cherokee Purple tomato’s flavor consists of a rich combination of mostly sweet, and some acidic, notes. Despite the relative sweetness of the tomato its flavor is in no way saccharine. Rather, it is balanced, complex, and slightly smoky.
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are available in summer and fall.
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are botanically classified as Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Cherokee purple, and are a member of the nightshade or Solanaceae family, along with more than 2,500 species such as tobacco and peppers. The Cherokee Purple tomato belongs to the “beefsteak” group of tomatoes, meaning that it is very juicy and large with a robust flavor that lends itself best to fresh eating.
Cherokee Purple tomatoes contain an abundance of nutritional benefits. They are filled with vitamin C, which exists in large quantities in the pulp around the seeds, K, which helps keep bones strong, and A, an antioxidant that which helps maintain the immune system and good eye health.
As an heirloom beefsteak, the Cherokee Purple tomato is best enjoyed fresh without cooking. It makes a divine sandwich, raising the already delectable BLT to astronomical heights. It also shines in a salad or simple, yet mouth-watering, spread of sliced tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella. The sliced Cherokee Purple tomato is also delicious either plain or sprinkled with salt. If a hot dish is preferred, Cherokee Purple tomatoes can be diced and briefly sautéed with pasta. These heirlooms can also be grilled, used as a pizza topping, or added raw to a halved and toasted baguette for bruschetta. It’s also amazing on a burger. The Cherokee Purple tomato entered the gourmand’s lexicon in the 1990’s after a Tennessean, John Green, mailed seeds of the delicious fruit to Craig LeHoullier of the Seed Saver’s Exchange. Green wrote that he had received the seeds from a woman who had in turn been given the seeds by neighbors. These neighbors had grown the tomatoes for a century and originally procured them from Cherokee growers.
Like potatoes, tomatoes originally evolved in the Andes. They have been cultivated since 700 AD, originally by the Aztecs and Incas. Contrary to its current worldwide popularity, tomatoes were not consumed by colonists and Americans of European descent until the early 1800’s. Whites in North America considered the fruits to be poisonous and grew it only for its ornamental qualities. It wasn’t until Thomas Jefferson began growing the tomato as a crop at Monticello that the tomato’s edibility was accepted by white America.
Recipes that include Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Heirloom Tomatoes | Listen |
Description/Taste
Cherokee Purple tomatoes get their name from their skin, which boasts rich, dusty shades of purple and pink with shoulders that are often green. Its flesh is a deep rose with wet and red, sometimes green, pockets of seed. The Cherokee Purple tomato’s flavor consists of a rich combination of mostly sweet, and some acidic, notes. Despite the relative sweetness of the tomato its flavor is in no way saccharine. Rather, it is balanced, complex, and slightly smoky.
Seasons/Availability
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are available in summer and fall.
Current Facts
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are botanically classified as Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Cherokee purple, and are a member of the nightshade or Solanaceae family, along with more than 2,500 species such as tobacco and peppers. The Cherokee Purple tomato belongs to the “beefsteak” group of tomatoes, meaning that it is very juicy and large with a robust flavor that lends itself best to fresh eating.
Nutritional Value
Cherokee Purple tomatoes contain an abundance of nutritional benefits. They are filled with vitamin C, which exists in large quantities in the pulp around the seeds, K, which helps keep bones strong, and A, an antioxidant that which helps maintain the immune system and good eye health.
Applications
As an heirloom beefsteak, the Cherokee Purple tomato is best enjoyed fresh without cooking. It makes a divine sandwich, raising the already delectable BLT to astronomical heights. It also shines in a salad or simple, yet mouth-watering, spread of sliced tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella. The sliced Cherokee Purple tomato is also delicious either plain or sprinkled with salt. If a hot dish is preferred, Cherokee Purple tomatoes can be diced and briefly sautéed with pasta. These heirlooms can also be grilled, used as a pizza topping, or added raw to a halved and toasted baguette for bruschetta. It’s also amazing on a burger. The Cherokee Purple tomato entered the gourmand’s lexicon in the 1990’s after a Tennessean, John Green, mailed seeds of the delicious fruit to Craig LeHoullier of the Seed Saver’s Exchange. Green wrote that he had received the seeds from a woman who had in turn been given the seeds by neighbors. These neighbors had grown the tomatoes for a century and originally procured them from Cherokee growers.
Geography/History
Like potatoes, tomatoes originally evolved in the Andes. They have been cultivated since 700 AD, originally by the Aztecs and Incas. Contrary to its current worldwide popularity, tomatoes were not consumed by colonists and Americans of European descent until the early 1800’s. Whites in North America considered the fruits to be poisonous and grew it only for its ornamental qualities. It wasn’t until Thomas Jefferson began growing the tomato as a crop at Monticello that the tomato’s edibility was accepted by white America.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 227 days ago, 8/31/20 Sharer's comments : Mixed Heirloom Tomatoes are 🔥 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 259 days ago, 7/30/20 Sharer's comments : Mixed Heirlooms are coming beautifully now! 
Your Dekalb Farmers Market
Deklab Farmers Market
Near Scottdale, Georgia, United States3000 Ponce de Leon Ave Decatur Georgia 30031 404-377-6400 About 600 days ago, 8/24/19 Sharer's comments : Cherokee Heirloom Tomatoes are in season 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Specialty
Near Santa Monica, California, United States619-295-3172 About 617 days ago, 8/07/19 Sharer's comments : Beautiful Tutti Frutti Tomatoes! 
Brentwood Farmers market
Underwood family farms
Near Sawtelle, California, United StatesAbout 627 days ago, 7/28/19 
Big Ranch Farms
Big Ranch Farms
Near Napa, California, United States2046 Big Ranch Farms Road Napa CA 94558 707-812-3901 About 634 days ago, 7/21/19 
Rainbow Grocery Cooperative
Rainbow Grocery
Near San Francisco, California, United States1745 Folsom Street San Francisco CA 94103 415-863-0620 About 643 days ago, 7/12/19 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Specialty
Near Santa Monica, California, United States619-295-3172 About 645 days ago, 7/10/19 Sharer's comments : Tutti Frutti Tomatoes are looking delicious! |
