Large Red Tomato

Description:

Large Red is an heirloom with roots documented before the Civil War, appearing in the 1843 Shaker seed catalog from New Lebanon, NY as one of the most commonly grown varieties of the time. The indeterminate vines produce 2 by 4 inch deep-red fruits with heavy ribbing, a flattened shape, and a sweet flavor with a hint of tang a striking departure from modern tomatoes. This variety was noted by Fearing Burr in 1865 as nearly the only kind cultivated during the early introduction of tomatoes in the country, and it surprised growers during 1996 trials when it became a favorite of a local restaurant's chef.