Henderson's Pink Ponderosa

[ContainerTed]

Got my seed from Sandhill, under the above name. Tatianna's Tomatobase lists it as "Henderson's Ponderosa" - sans "pink". What beautiful, oblate, beefsteak shaped fruits it bears. My 3 plants are loaded up with exact replicas of the ones in the pictures.

Growing up I was used to the idea that the word "Ponderosa" referred to either the TV show or the cadillac of tomatoes. Even today, my brother refers to his beefsteak tomatoes as either red or yellow "Ponderosa's". It is still a family standard. I've looked around for this one for years. My search is over. I'll be growing this one every year from now on.

These fruits are amazing to look at. The three together in the pictures consist of two from one plant and one from another. The lone tomato is from the third plant and weighed in just a fraction short of a pound. I have about two dozen more green fruit among the three plants that are already full sized. There are dozens of smaller green fruit and the plants are still growing and throwing lots of blooms.

The first taste was like a step back to the early 1950's and my Dad's love of this variety. Smooth thin skin, full flavor like Brandywine but "different" in a good way, old fashioned zing in the finish, sweet and smooth going down, and covers the bread in one slice.

Enjoy the eye candy.