Tomato, Grappoli d’Inverno (Organic)
Solanum lycopersicum. Red Paste. 60-70 days. Semi-det.
Grappoli d’Inverno’s small bushes ripen early with 1-2 oz, plum-sized fruit that keep very well once picked. Unimpressive when eaten fresh, the flavor transforms into deliciousness once dried. It’s also good roasted. A selection of a type of tomato with strains grown in many regions of Italy for winter storage. Fruit is tied in ristras, hung in a cool place and stored for a few months. We saw this done in Italy and have successfully done it ourselves, making for the perfect homemade pizza topping for the first part of winter. For truly long term storage we recommend drying them. Grappoli d’Inverno means ‘bunches of winter’ in Italian.
| Geographical Origin |
|---|
Sow indoors in flats with good potting soil as early as February, but no later than April. Keep warm and well-watered. Up pot seedlings into 4” pots once they have two true leaves. Transplant into the garden once danger of frost has passed.
Seed Saving
Collect seeds from ripe fruit by squeezing into a jar and add 25% more water. Wait a few days for mold to form. When seeds sink and gel-sac is gone, stir, add water, then decant and rinse to clean. Dry thoroughly. Tomatoes are mostly self-pollinating; isolation is not usually needed for seeds to be true to type.
Eric M (verified owner) –
Where did you grow this variety? Oregon
I am growing this tomato and the Piennolo Rosso variety. Grappoli d’Inverno seems mealy to me. The flavor is a little bland and flabby as well. I wouldn’t say this tomato is enjoyable to eat because of the texture and flavor issues, but it is not unpalatable either. I am hoping that if they hang in storage for a little bit the flavor might concentrate, but I don’t know if the mealiness will improve. Piennolo Rosso is much superior in terms of flavor, but is yielding less.
I am dry farming these plants, and they are healthy and prolific! I just wish the fruit tasted better.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal