Red Fig Tomato

Lycopersicon lycopersicum

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These 1.5” pear-shaped tomatoes have been grown in American gardens since the 18th century. They were traditionally dried and packed away for winter use in substitute of figs. They are also used fresh.

The Red Fig Tomato is named for a sugary delicacy that was made with this fruit and popular in the mid 1800s. To make the “figs,” boiling water was poured over the tomatoes to remove the skins and then the skinless tomatoes were placed in a stone jar with equal parts sugar to tomatoes. The resulting syrup was then removed from the jar and boiled and skimmed.  The process was repeated over two days, with intervals of cooling.  Finally, the tomatoes were dried in the sun for about a week at which point they were packed in small wooden boxes, with fine, white sugar between every layer. Tomatoes prepared in this manner were said to keep for years.

The tomato is currently available from only three seed companies in the United States.

Fresh Red Figs have a full tomato taste with very sweet skin. In addition to being a delicious plated solo act, they’re perfect for contemporary tomato jams and chutneys. 

Sources

Tomato Fest
Gary Ibsen
Box W-1
Carmel, CA 93921
http://www.tomatofest.com

Seed Savers Exchange
3094 North Winn Road
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-5990
http://www.seedsavers.org

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
2278 Baker Creek Road
Mansfield, MO 65704
417-924-8917
http://www.rareseeds.com

Rachel’s Tomato Seed Supply
3421 Bream Street
Gautier, MS 39553
http://www.rachelssupply.com

Find Producers on LocalHarvest

http://www.localharvest.org/ark-product.jsp?id=133