they loved that purple tomato!

habitat_gardener · December 29, 2010

I was talking to someone who planted only 4 plants last year, including a yellow cherry, San Marzano, a Red Zebra, and a big purple one that was the best tomato they'd ever tasted. So before they had a chance to look it up, I was thinking, Pruden's Purple? Cherokee Purple?

Well, guess what: it was Purple Calabash!!

So there!

(I probably shouldn't have said anything, but I did mention that PC was not widely liked and I'd been expecting them to name one of the bigger, sweeter varieties. I've grown it and didn't dislike it, but I've liked other varieties a lot more.)

So, those few people who liked Purple Calabash, what other tomatoes would you recommend that have that sort of strong or distinctive flavor?

Worth1 · December 29, 2010

I dont think they like it because of the taste but because of what it looked like (maybe)

The eyes can do strange things to the taste buds.

It is a beautiful tomato and I like it.

And I cant think of another one that tastes like it right off hand.

Worth

PaulF · December 29, 2010

You are correct that there is no other like Purple Calabash. We at the Midwest Tomato Fest voted that variety the worst tasting tomato four years running. Last year nobody brought one to the Fest. I guess why waste good space on a spitter. Maybe it is better when western or southern grown.

Worth1 · December 29, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulF

You are correct that there is no other like Purple Calabash. We at the Midwest Tomato Fest voted that variety the worst tasting tomato four years running. Last year nobody brought one to the Fest. I guess why waste good space on a spitter. Maybe it is better when western or southern grown.

To be honest they taste like bacon to me.
Maybe it is because I ate them on BLT's

Worth

ContainerTed · December 29, 2010

Oh, Contrare Y'all. Here at the Muddy Bucket Farm, Purple Calabash was a very tasty tomato. Our only problem with it was so many lobes and an uncharacteristic "non-flatness" to the overall shape. But the taste was extremely good.

Perhaps the difference is the wonderful soil I have been blessed with. LOL!!!

Ted

stormymater · December 29, 2010

Purple Calabash grown down here across the street from the ocean have been mighty tasty the 2 years we grew them. DH would actually circle them & the Cherokee Purples - just like squirrel to be the one to grab & munch. Ours were small, flattish & heavily ribbed - will grow again in 2011... go figure.

December 29, 2010	#1
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	they loved that purple tomato! I was talking to someone who planted only 4 plants last year, including a yellow cherry, San Marzano, a Red Zebra, and a big purple one that was the best tomato they'd ever tasted. So before they had a chance to look it up, I was thinking, Pruden's Purple? Cherokee Purple? Well, guess what: it was Purple Calabash!! So there! (I probably shouldn't have said anything, but I did mention that PC was not widely liked and I'd been expecting them to name one of the bigger, sweeter varieties. I've grown it and didn't dislike it, but I've liked other varieties a lot more.) So, those few people who liked Purple Calabash, what other tomatoes would you recommend that have that sort of strong or distinctive flavor?

December 29, 2010	#3
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	You are correct that there is no other like Purple Calabash. We at the Midwest Tomato Fest voted that variety the worst tasting tomato four years running. Last year nobody brought one to the Fest. I guess why waste good space on a spitter. Maybe it is better when western or southern grown. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

December 29, 2010	#5
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Oh, Contrare Y'all. Here at the Muddy Bucket Farm, Purple Calabash was a very tasty tomato. Our only problem with it was so many lobes and an uncharacteristic "non-flatness" to the overall shape. But the taste was extremely good. Perhaps the difference is the wonderful soil I have been blessed with. LOL!!! Ted __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

December 29, 2010	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I dont think they like it because of the taste but because of what it looked like (maybe) The eyes can do strange things to the taste buds. It is a beautiful tomato and I like it. And I cant think of another one that tastes like it right off hand. Worth

December 29, 2010	#6
stormymater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasure Island, NC 8a Posts: 1,162	Purple Calabash grown down here across the street from the ocean have been mighty tasty the 2 years we grew them. DH would actually circle them & the Cherokee Purples - just like squirrel to be the one to grab & munch. Ours were small, flattish & heavily ribbed - will grow again in 2011... go figure.