Martino’s Roma

Another in the ongoing series – Exploring Tomatoes

I love this tomato!

Smaller than the common Roma, with a stout bottom tapering up to narrow straight shoulders, this is one seriously productive plant.  This heirloom variety plum tomato is direct from Italy and produces fruit of about 2 to 3 ounces in weight.  It is a  determinate tomato plant, also known a “bush tomato,” and as such all its fruit will ripen over a period of about two weeks, essentially all at once in tomato talk.  For some uses, that is not desirable, but if you are looking for a deliciously mild tomato to make sauce or paste, this is just what you want – a plant that will yield a bountiful harvest over a short period of time.  At about 75 days the fruit will begin to ripen, and remarkably, this plant is virtually “self-harvesting.”  The wonderfully mild fruit, when ripe, comes off at a touch, or more often, just falls off of its own accord.  The plant needs very little staking and sports a low, compact habit.  The fruit holds well on and off the vine guaranteeing a generous supply for the kitchen.  Martino’s Roma are a vibrant red, meaty and firm enough to stuff and bake.  They are also wonderful for use on an antipasto plate.  This is an all-around winner, and will be back in my garden next year.

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I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.