Wow, CP may be the one that changed my mind.

[Former Floridian]

OK I confess I've never really loved raw tomatoes. If a sandwich comes with a slice of tomato I pull it off, but who can really blame me with the anemic looking bland things usually served in restaurants.

I started growing tomatoes a few years ago because my husband loves them. I enjoy growing them and I do love to eat them cooked, so it all works out. I do always try a taste of each type of tomato I grow, just to try it. So I just tried my first taste of Cherokee Purple and thought, "Hmm... not bad". So I made myself a CP tomato sandwich and I liked it. <wipes mayo off chin> The husband may have some competition for the CPs.

Virginia, newest tomato convert.

[Worth1]

Virginia I dont care for cooked tomatoes so my enjoyment of them is short lived.
Cherokee Purple is on the top of my list of good tomatoes for sure.

Worth

[Ken4230]

I gave my son in law a CP last year and he fell in love. He couldn't believe the taste. We are in the process of making him a garden spot. We hope to have around 24 plants at his house next year. There is nothing better than a thick slice of home grown tomato on a bacon and egg sandwich.

I'm with Worth on the cooked tomatoes. I like them hidden in chili and homemade veg. soup, but stewed tomatoes give me the willies.

[RebelRidin]

Virginia, I and very many like CP very well. I am also sure there are many others out there that you would like. You have already discovered what i consider one of the secrets of scrumptious tomato experiences... the mayonaise compliment. The other is a tomato worth putting mayonaise on. IMHO, you will only find those ripened on the vine in folks gardens (yours included) and probably never in any restaurant.

BTW... Welcome to TVille and welcome to the right side of the tomato question

[tjg911]

yep cp is one of my top favorites too. there's a lot of good ones, you have to try 'em tho to know what you'll like.

tom

[feldon30]

Cherokee Purple is why I grow tomatoes.

[Former Floridian]

Thank you for the welcome. I've been lurking for a while, have learned a lot from reading here.

Yep, my mom raved about Cherokee Purple and gave me the seeds, and of course I've read many positive comments about it here & the other tomato forum. I was sure it would be a great tomato. I just didn't think I would ever like a tomato sandwich! Oh, the good lightly toasted sourdough bread helped too.

As far as cooked tomatoes go, I'm not sure if I've ever had stewed tomatoes. I do love to dice them up and saute them with other veggies. Another thing I love is a margherita pizza with slices of multi colored cherry tomatoes from my garden. Pretty & delicious.

I only started gardening in 2009, I had 6 tomato plants that year and the next. This year I have 32! Yes, I'm well into the dark side.
Virginia

[kenny_j]

All this talk about CP has me wishing I had grown more than 1, and that one is at my daughter's house. I had started a bunch, then decided not to grow them for several reasons.
1. I had over 70 varieties started
2. I got the seeds from a neighbor, and had tasted the fruit, which was not all that great to me.
3. I was worried that said neighbor may not have had true seed to begin with.
4. I had several varieties that had CP in their parentage
5. I was trying to stay with potato leaf versions when ever possible.

These reasons all seem lame to me now, especially after remembering the neighbors set up. He grew everything in pots and they looked as bad as the ones I have in grow bags this year, which were were under fertilzed and watered early on. That may be why they were not as tasty. A couple years ago my daughter grew one and they were superb, so I bought some plants from a local plant place, several varieties, one of which was a CP. All plants ended up being the same, and they were spitters and NOT what they were supposed to be.
I have Vorlon and Spudakee, I hope they measure up.

[tam91]

I had my first mini taste test yesterday - all small and with a little bruise, so had to be consumed quickly (such a shame - not). Cherokee Purple, Earls's Faux, and Indian Stripe Potato Leaf. Cherokee Purple was the winner, Earl's Faux close behind. Indian Stripe PL was good, but more acidic than the others. All delicious though!

[meadowyck]

Welcome to Tville Former Floridian, why n the world would ya leave.......

Yes the many heirloom varieties will hook you in and then it is all over, wait till next year, so you better start preparing the ground now ....LOL

Welcome, we look forward to aiding your conversion to the full side of mater loving....

[afrance30]

CP is addictive

[babice]

Lordy, Lordy. I've never tried it but I'm attempting to grow it this year!

[Former Floridian]

Originally Posted by meadowyck

Welcome to Tville Former Floridian, why n the world would ya leave.......

Well we moved so my husband could take a new and better job. I have actually done pretty well adjusting despite living in FL for most of my life. It does help that I escape back to FL a couple of times each winter. Actually this summer I've contemplated going back to escape the heat!

[edweather]

Yep, right in my top 5. Can't seem to get it off my grow list. Have 4 ripe ones sitting on the vine right now.

[Former Floridian]

This morning I picked a 1 lb. 1 oz. CP, and another that was almost 16 oz. Not too shabby!

Virginia