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What a whopper!

(30 Posts)
chicken Wed 16-Jul-25 21:01:12

I’ve just picked the first ripe tomato from the variety I’m growing this year, a heritage one called Pink Brandywine. It’s really ugly looking, all lumps and bumps, but huge——it weighs 2lb 1 oz. That will make a lot of sandwiches, tomato and Marmite are my favourite. Can any of you beat that for a whopper?

JaneJudge Wed 16-Jul-25 21:05:00

Have you got a photo?

Elowen33 Wed 16-Jul-25 21:57:47

That’s impressive, I would think you only need one slice for a sandwich.

Are they watery when they are that large?

Jaxjacky Wed 16-Jul-25 21:59:52

I have high hopes chicken still green, well done

midgey Wed 16-Jul-25 22:00:16

Wow! Well done you.

MickyT Wed 16-Jul-25 22:19:56

You know what they say, "It's not the size that counts..... It's how you use them" grin sounds good though

Sago Thu 17-Jul-25 05:37:49

MickyT

You know what they say, "It's not the size that counts..... It's how you use them" grin sounds good though

Jeez MickyT I think you are sailing a bit close to the wind.

Before your time we had an Antipodean poster, he was a smutty old misogynist, he caused a lot of derision.

After posting about stockings and then looking for a female companion you are building yourself quite a reputation.

Know your audience.

Aldom Thu 17-Jul-25 05:41:19

MickyT

You know what they say, "It's not the size that counts..... It's how you use them" grin sounds good though

Very unpleasant reading.

AsSago said.....*know your audience*!!

Aldom Thu 17-Jul-25 05:45:16

Chicken I've stopped growing tomatoes. Too much water required and my water is metered. I never grew a tomato as huge as yours though. I'm interested to know if it has a good flavour?
I agree, Marmite and tomato or salad make a delicious sandwich. smile

Calendargirl Thu 17-Jul-25 06:48:49

A tomato that size sounds awful. 🍅

I like my little Sungold cherry ones, much nicer, lots of flavour.

foxie48 Thu 17-Jul-25 07:23:30

That's huge! I always grow three different varieties always include sungold,plus a beefsteak and a plum. Tbh I prefer flavour to yield but the two can go together if you pick the best varieties. Pic and taste review please. I lost all my beefsteak last year to blight so always open to suggestions.

chicken Thu 17-Jul-25 08:11:37

I’m afraid I’m useless at photos, I’ve never worked out how to attach them..
Pink Brandywine is a really meaty tomato, very few seeds, solid flesh and a lovely flavour. They are gorgeous baked. I’ve grown them for years but this one is the biggest yet.

Esmay Thu 17-Jul-25 09:41:42

I'd chill it . Then slie very thinly and cover with olive oil and a splash of wine vinegar and some crushed garlic .I'd add some finely cut spring onions and some torn basil leaves - for a delicious anti - carcinogenicsalad .
And don't forget the sour dough bread

NotSpaghetti Thu 17-Jul-25 10:14:39

Calendargirl

A tomato that size sounds awful. 🍅

I like my little Sungold cherry ones, much nicer, lots of flavour.

Have you eaten this variety?
I haven't but i do like lots of heritage ones.
Sungold are nice too of course but are (obviously) a cherry variety (and harder in a sandwich).

Here's some info about Brandywine:
^The Brandywine tomato is a popular heirloom variety known for its distinctive, rich old-timey tomato flavor. Introduced in 1885, it has large, soft, juicy fruits with a unique, slightly sweet taste that sets it apart from other tomatoes. I think there are lots of Brandywines as my friend regularly grows a black one.
They make me think of the Italian tomatoes you find in dry rural areas.

NotSpaghetti Thu 17-Jul-25 10:21:32

Calendargirl have you ever grown a Cherokee Purple?
I've just found a lovely video.
Yum yum!

Astitchintime Thu 17-Jul-25 10:24:00

Calendargirl

A tomato that size sounds awful. 🍅

I like my little Sungold cherry ones, much nicer, lots of flavour.

A tomato that size sounds awful. 🍅……….how so Calendargirl? If the variety itself tends to be on the large scale then it would have far more taste than a random variety that simply outgrew itself.
Personally, I plan on having a go at growing Brandywine next year………I have very fond memories of delicious huge tomatoes packed with flavour during the years that I toured Italy.

NotSpaghetti Thu 17-Jul-25 10:24:03

Here it is...
youtu.be/q6ra8ndtpmE?si=WgNEUVCK-yAJ_zTG

NotSpaghetti Thu 17-Jul-25 10:25:00

Astitchintime yes those Italian tomatoes are hard to beat!

Calendargirl Thu 17-Jul-25 12:31:51

No, I’ve never tasted this variety, so I shouldn’t comment really, I suppose, but have often found ‘big’ tomatoes are sort of fleshy and dry inside.

‘Plobby’ is how I think of them.

☹️

Jaxjacky Thu 17-Jul-25 13:26:59

I’m growing Black Russian, another heirloom variety, medium to large beefsteak, they taste delicious.

GrannyFirstLight Fri 18-Jul-25 14:12:36

Former sheep farmer checking in...
We grew 3 non-hybrid heirloom varieties: Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, and Rutgers. The first 2 grow very large and wonky-looking, but wow---the flavor and aroma are sublime. The Rutgers taste like the food in the 1950s used to taste. Meaning: flavorful!
Other than our human family, the deer and the woodchucks have also raved about them!

Oreo Fri 18-Jul-25 14:24:25

Calendargirl

A tomato that size sounds awful. 🍅

I like my little Sungold cherry ones, much nicer, lots of flavour.

I agree, can’t beat them for sweetness and taste.I am impressed by the sheer size of the huge tom tho and would love to see a pic of it.🍅

Oreo Fri 18-Jul-25 14:27:06

NotSpaghetti

Calendargirl have you ever grown a Cherokee Purple?
I've just found a lovely video.
Yum yum!

Purple tomatoes are just….wrong!😄So are purple carrots.
I don’t know why, they just are.

Lupatria Fri 18-Jul-25 15:04:39

i don't like tomatoes but i used to grow them. when my greenhouse is back in shape next year i'll start growing them again and give them away.

Patsy70 Fri 18-Jul-25 15:36:00

Enjoy it chicken. I’d eat it as Esmay suggests - sounds so tasty. We grow our tomatoes in the greenhouse, but only Gardeners’ Delight this year, which are really good. I must try the heritage varieties next year. 🍅