Beefsteak Tomatoes Delivery or Pickup

Beefsteak tomatoes, also called beef tomatoes, are some of the largest. They can weigh more than a pound and be up to 6 inches wide. They come in several colors, and they have smaller seed cavities and fewer seeds than many varieties.

Tomatoes first grew in South America, and Spanish colonists who landed there introduced them to Europe in the early 1500s. At first, they were primarily ornamental plants, but people soon discovered their delicious flavors. The term beefsteak's first appearance was in an 1869 seed catalog that referred to this type of tomato as “meaty as a beefsteak.” 

Beefsteak tomatoes are usually in season in summer in the United States, but many producers grow them in greenhouses all year. Beefsteak tomatoes are lumpier than many other varieties, and they may have flattened, irregular shapes. You should be able to pull them away from the plant while twisting to remove them, and they should feel firm and be free of blemishes or cracks in the skin. Tomatoes will continue to ripen after picking, but the best, juiciest beefsteak tomatoes are vine-ripened. You may even find tomatoes with parts of the vine still attached.

You can keep your tomatoes on your counter at room temperature for about a week. Sliced tomatoes will last in your refrigerator for a day or two, and you can freeze whole, chopped, sliced, or pureed tomatoes. However, they're best in cooked food because they become mushy when thawed.

Several varieties of beefsteak tomato are available. The Brandywine is dark pink, and it has a bit of green skin near the stem even when it's fully ripe. Its acidic flavor makes it great for sandwiches. Cherokee Purple tomatoes have a sweet, smoky flavor, a dense texture, and a light purple or crimson color. There's also a variety with a brownish-red color called Cherokee Chocolate and one that still has green flesh when ripe called Cherokee Green. The skin turns yellow instead of red.  

Aunt Ruby's German Green has green skin and flesh, even when ripe, and a sweet, tangy taste. Many people use it in desserts. Mortgage Lifter tastes sweet and mild, and it's named for its huge size and high yields.  Some Mortgage Lifter tomatoes weigh 2 pounds. In Italy and France, a beefsteak tomato with the shape of a lumpy teardrop is called Cuore di Bue or Bœur de Bœuf. It means beef heart, and the name comes from this variety's unusual shape.