Produce Briefs...
Mache
Mache has been cultivated in France since the 17th century, and in France it is known as doucette. It is also known as "lamb's lettuce" because its leaves resemble the size and shape of a lamb's tongue.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Current Facts
All tomatoes are members of the Solanacea or nightshade family along with the potato, eggplant and tobacco. The Indigo Rose cherry tomato is a natural hybrid tomato containing genes from the wild species Solanum lycopersicoides, S. chilense and S. cheesemanii., which incidentally contain anthocyanins (a water-soluble pigment found in purple fruits) along with cultivated species that are known for possessing good flavor attributes and fruit quality.
Description/Taste
At first glance, the Indigo Rose cherry tomato strikes a curios chord. Its skin is glossy and smooth and the fruit has the quintessential cherry tomato shape and size, yet its crown is covered in a deep purple, burgundy glow. The lower half of the fruit and areas of the tomato hidden by leaves will be orange red in color, as anthocyanin is produced only in those areas of the fruit that are exposed to sunlight. If you pick an Indigo Rose and expose the non-purple area to sunlight, the purple pigment will form within a week. The Indigo Rose is fragrant, with notes of paprika and and smoke. The flesh is both meaty and succulent, its seeds burst in the mouth with acid and the flesh countering with sweetness and depth.
Nutritional Value
The Indigo Rose cherry tomato is the first improved tomato variety in the world to contain anthocyanins. In fact, the utmost important goal of the breeders responsible for its inception was to breed the fruit specifically for antioxidant potential. Research suggests that anthocyanins have strong healing properties, yet it is unknown how the anthocyanins will express themselves in the fruit for human health benefit.
Applications
Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes can be used in any given recipe, fresh, hot or cold, calling for cherry tomatoes or simply, tomatoes. More importantly though, their first and foremost use is for fresh eating. Raw Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes are quintessential salad and salsa tomatoes. They can be processed and cooked to make ketchup, compotes and jams. They can also be blanched, pureed and made into soups and granitas. Complimentary ingredients include citruses, especially lemon and lime varieties, seafood such as scallops, shrimp, crab and fish, grilled and roasted meats and poultry, mild and bitter salad greens, olive oil, vinaigrettes, young, milky cheeses, eggs, cream, hazelnuts, pine nuts, avocados, basil, pineapple, mint and cilantro.
Geography/History
All tomatoes can trace their heritage to the the Andean highlands and coastal plains of Chile, Ecuador and Peru, where wild tomatoes were first discovered. The history of the Indigo Rose Cherry tomato, though, is brief and elusive. In the 1960's, breeders (names unknown) from Bulgaria and the United States began the cross-cultivation of wild tomato strains from South America, specifically Chile and Galapagos with cultivated varieties. No public information is known regarding the timeline of events that brought the Indigo Rose to the to the University of Oregon Horticultural Department, where the continued research would eventually bring it successfully to market. Vegetable Breeder, Jim Myers spearheaded the development of the Indigo Rose until its release into the public in 2011. The Indigo Rose tomato is intended for home gardeners and fresh farmers markets.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Indigo Cherry Tomatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
