25 seeds
Cultivation: easy
Seed Saving: beginner
Jersey Devil Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
Jersey Devil Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum): this ancient American variety is particularly important because of its organoleptic characteristics. It is very productive, fruits are elongated, bright red, about 10 cm long, characterized by a pointed tip. It has very few seeds inside, and provides the full taste of “real” ancient tomatoes.
The first bite of its juicy pulp will immediately bring back the strong, intense flavor or tomatoes grown in vegetable gardens many years ago.
It is that particular taste that raises appreciation from those passionate and expert growers that go back in time to tomato boiling and preserve making, it is undoubtedly great for sauces.
The plant is indeterminate and the fruit ripens in 80 days; unlike tomatoes in this category it is immune to apical rot and tolerates water stress pretty well. It has been listed in SSE Yearbooks since at least the late 1970's to early 1980's.
The Jersey giant, now used industrially, was developed from this variety and the San Marzano probably as well, but that’s another story...