Canning Tomatoes

miniedmo · June 16, 2006

What is the best variety to use for growing canning tomatoes? I live in Upstate S.C.

**Mischka** · June 16, 2006

Just about any tomato can be used for canning. :wink:

Since you should remove the seeds prior to processing them for canning, it's easier to use "paste" types (which contain fewer seed locules) but by no means are you limited to using only paste varieties for canning.

My personal choices are Opalka, Heinz 1370, Grandma Mary's Paste and Aunt Lillian's Yellow Heirloom.

Tomstrees · June 16, 2006

I've heard Santa Clara Canner
is good for canning ~

Tom

feldon30 · June 16, 2006

Might want to check out some of the varieties mentioned in the Good canning varieties thread.

bigcheef · June 16, 2006

Mischka,

Why must you remove the seed before canning?

miniedmo · June 16, 2006

Thanks for all the replies.

tanagerzoo · June 16, 2006

Seeds can sometimes add a bitter flavor. Some people swear by removing seeds and others say they never taste any bitterness and therefore don't worry about the seeds. I try to remove as many as I can, but in the interest of getting out of the kitchen asap, I don't always catch them all.

Christine

**nctomatoman** · June 16, 2006

A few points - Santa Clara Canner may be a good variety for some, but it doesn't seem to be widely adapted - for my efforts I got zero fruit from a gargantuan plant that had plenty of blossoms. Any meaty tomato is fine for canning.

As for seeds, we don't remove seeds and do not experience any bitterness problems. In fact, those cans of mixed heirlooms are worth their weight in gold in those winter soups and stews and sauces!

SelfSufficient1 · June 16, 2006

Nope don't remove seeds here. I think Phil(who I am canning them for) would think it weird if there were no seeds in there.

barkeater · June 16, 2006

Yes, Santa Clara Canner, Diener Strain, I grew last year and it was terrible with almost no yield. However, I live in Vermont, and it was bred for California. I'm dying to hear how it does in CA. I know I sent some seedes there, but I haven't heard anything yet.

Dunkel · June 17, 2006

I hear West Virginia '63 is a good one. Of course I'm biased being from almost heaven! LOL

Earl · June 17, 2006

Picardy, Andes Horn

Kenyadenola · August 3, 2006

I'm growing SC Canner in the Santa Clara Valley no less, and have 3 tomatoes from 4 plants!! I may save seeds and try agai next year, but I don't really have the room to spare on four unproductive next year since I have to rotate the plants from year to year.

June 16, 2006	#1
miniedmo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 41	Canning Tomatoes What is the best variety to use for growing canning tomatoes? I live in Upstate S.C.

June 16, 2006	#2
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Just about any tomato can be used for canning. :wink: Since you should remove the seeds prior to processing them for canning, it's easier to use "paste" types (which contain fewer seed locules) but by no means are you limited to using only paste varieties for canning. My personal choices are Opalka, Heinz 1370, Grandma Mary's Paste and Aunt Lillian's Yellow Heirloom. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

June 16, 2006	#3
Tomstrees Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Bayshore Posts: 3,848	I've heard Santa Clara Canner is good for canning ~ Tom __________________ My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale

June 16, 2006	#7
tanagerzoo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Zone 7 Delaware Posts: 67	Seeds can sometimes add a bitter flavor. Some people swear by removing seeds and others say they never taste any bitterness and therefore don't worry about the seeds. I try to remove as many as I can, but in the interest of getting out of the kitchen asap, I don't always catch them all. Christine __________________ Christine

June 16, 2006	#8
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	A few points - Santa Clara Canner may be a good variety for some, but it doesn't seem to be widely adapted - for my efforts I got zero fruit from a gargantuan plant that had plenty of blossoms. Any meaty tomato is fine for canning. As for seeds, we don't remove seeds and do not experience any bitterness problems. In fact, those cans of mixed heirlooms are worth their weight in gold in those winter soups and stews and sauces! __________________ Craig

June 16, 2006	#4
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Might want to check out some of the varieties mentioned in the Good canning varieties thread.

June 16, 2006	#5
bigcheef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: TN Posts: 316	Mischka, Why must you remove the seed before canning?

June 16, 2006	#9
SelfSufficient1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 188	Nope don't remove seeds here. I think Phil(who I am canning them for) would think it weird if there were no seeds in there. __________________ I could spend all day here!

June 16, 2006	#10
barkeater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NE Kingdom, VT - Zone 3b Posts: 1,439	Yes, Santa Clara Canner, Diener Strain, I grew last year and it was terrible with almost no yield. However, I live in Vermont, and it was bred for California. I'm dying to hear how it does in CA. I know I sent some seedes there, but I haven't heard anything yet.

June 17, 2006	#11
Dunkel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West By God Virginia Posts: 245	I hear West Virginia '63 is a good one. Of course I'm biased being from almost heaven! LOL __________________ I plant... Therefore I am. - Dunkel What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds. - Will Rogers

June 17, 2006	#12
Earl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,278	Picardy, Andes Horn

August 3, 2006	#13
Kenyadenola Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 35	I'm growing SC Canner in the Santa Clara Valley no less, and have 3 tomatoes from 4 plants!! I may save seeds and try agai next year, but I don't really have the room to spare on four unproductive next year since I have to rotate the plants from year to year.