Tomatoes

Heirloom is a term used to describe any tomato plant that’s openly pollinated (by wind and bees) and has been cultivated for more than 50 years. Seeds from the best plants are saved at the end of the growing season for future use. They come in many shapes and sizes—from the two-pound beefsteak to cherry tomatoes as tiny as currants. Because they ripen on the vine and are not stored under refrigeration, heirlooms are more likely than hybrids to have succulent flesh. But they vary in texture, running the gamut from firm, and barely seedy to soft and moist. Some seem at once juicy and firm.

Recipes: 
• Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Stack
• Mr. Stripey Tomato, Arugula, and Pancetta Sandwiches 
• Chunky Tomato-Fruit Gazpacho
• Grilled Chicken Thighs with Roasted Grape Tomatoes 
• Fresh Pea Salad with Radishes, Tomatoes, and Mint

See More: Heirloom Tomato Roundup