Marnero Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Marnero tomatoes are a round hybrid variety. They have a flattened shape and weigh about 190 to 250 grams, larger than most tomatoes. This variety has a deep red hue with faint mahogany purple coloring at the shoulders, reminiscent of black heirloom tomatoes. Their skin is smooth and firm with a shiny gleam. They have dark pink flesh that's dense and meaty. The few seed cavities within this flesh contain small, slippery white seeds. Marnero tomatoes have a soft yet robust texture and a well-balanced flavor of sweetness and acidity.
Seasons/Availability
Marnero tomatoes are available in the summer.
Current Facts
Marnero tomatoes are botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum and belong to the Solanaceae family. This family, also known as the nightshades, includes other produce such as potatoes and eggplants. Marnero tomatoes are a hybrid of the Cherokee Purple. This heirloom variety from Tennesee was originally traded within seed-saving circles. It was said to have originated from Cherokee Native Americans in the 1800s and was commercially introduced in the 1990s, eventually breeding off into varieties like the Marnero. Marnerno tomatoes are primarily valued for their culinary properties and are thought to have heirloom-like qualities because of their soft texture and complex flavor.
Nutritional Value
Marnero tomatoes provide a good source of calcium, which is vital for bone health and maintaining strong teeth. Their iron content is important for forming red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body, which helps prevent fatigue and supports overall energy levels. These tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that may help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Marnero tomatoes are abundant in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, promotes skin health, and enhances iron absorption from plant-based sources. The vitamin A provided from these tomatoes encourages healthy vision, skin, and immune function.
Applications
Marnero tomatoes may be enjoyed fresh, roasted, stewed, canned, or dried. They pair with other hybrid varieties like Marbonne and Margold, and all three can be combined in sauces, salsas, and soups. Sliced Marnero tomatoes may be incorporated into sandwiches, burgers, lasagnas, and casseroles. When diced, this variety easily combines with leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale, and arugula for fresh salads. Marnero tomatoes can be cooked into curries, pasta, soups, and pizza. They pair well with garlic, shallots, asparagus, eggplants, Kalamata olives, Brussels sprouts, orzo, steak, shrimp, grilled chicken, balsamic vinegar, mozzarella, parmesan, feta cheese, watermelon, oranges, lemons, limes, and herbs like parsley, chives, basil, oregano, and mint. Store Marnero tomatoes at room temperature until they ripen, then ideally keep them at 7 to 16 degrees Celcius for up to 7 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Marnero tomatoes are part of a line of French Heritage tomatoes developed by Gautier Semences, a family-owned vegetable breeding company in Provence, France. These tomatoes were created to combine the flavor and texture of heirloom varieties with the disease resistance and productivity of modern hybrids. Marnero tomatoes, along with hybrid varieties like Marbonne and Margold, are noted for their balanced sweet and acidic flavor and soft, heirloom-like flesh. This variety improves upon classic black heirloom types like Cherokee Purple, offering a similar appearance and taste with greater resilience and ease of cultivation. The name Marnero is likely a reference to the French translation of Black Sea, which is Mar Nero.
Geography/History
Marnero tomatoes were developed by Gautier Semences as a black Marmande hybrid and, along with other varieties in the French Heritage collection, made their North American debut in Johnny’s Seed catalog in 2015. Marnero tomato plants have more predictable growing habits and good disease resistance, which makes them more suitable for greenhouse growing than true heirlooms. When grown outside, this variety prefers maximum sunlight exposure and climates with warm, frost-free conditions. As a hybrid breed created to be high-yielding, Marnero tomatoes are not found in the wild. They are a niche variety that isn't widely available outside of France and may be more commonly purchased from seed and grown in home gardens than found in stores.
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