'Ugli' Tomatoes

[beejayw1]

If you find these fellows in your produce section, buy them. They're heirloom-type tomatoes, and certainly don't look like beefsteak tomatoes - but the flavor is wonderful!

Often, they're packaged in fishnet-looking sleeves of styrofoam. The price generally isn't bad, either - at my local supermarket, they were cheaper than the on the vine variety.

Anyhow, if you get them, you'll have a sample of summer tomato taste!

[KelLeg]

I just happened upon these at a really yucky grocery store. Anyway, they are great! Since this isn't my normal store, I'll have to check back.

[elnant]

Are they actually called ''ugli'' tomatoes? What do they look like?
I haven't bought tomatoes at the grocery store for a couple months now -- I usually buy roma tomatoes, and the ones at the stores where I shop haven't looked very good, lately.

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by elnant
Are they actually called ''ugli'' tomatoes? What do they look like?
I haven't bought tomatoes at the grocery store for a couple months now -- I usually buy roma tomatoes, and the ones at the stores where I shop haven't looked very good, lately.

Yep, that's the name. They look like home-grown heirloom tomatoes, rather wrinkled toward the stem (meaning that the skin is 'gathered' toward the stem, rather than being smooth and round.

As above, they are often packed in foam sleeves.

[HARRYET]

Diane,

How do you think these tomatoes would be making the "tomatoe basil soup" JeAnne posted?

I have made that soup before and it was definetly yummy! and I have some similar concerns like you regarding the "tomato basil soup" recipe in the new issue.

Ann :)

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by HARRYET
How do you think these tomatoes would be making the "tomatoe basil soup" JeAnne posted?

Hm..... Since they're the closest to 'home grown' in taste, I'd bet they would do very well in JeAnne's soup. (I also wonder what would happen if you used some of those wonderful little grape tomatoes, too...)

I plan to go back to the grocery store and load up, and I do want to try JeAnne's soup. If I do make it, and use those (I have one at home, ready to be cut up), I'll let you know how it goes.

[JanetB]

Uglies are great tomatoes - but I will note that they are expensive. I use them exclusively for salads. They are really good - and really not a pretty tomato!

[Fananna]

What a coincidence! I just bought a couple of them 2 hours ago! They were 1.99 per pound versus the 2.99 per pound vine tomatoes, so I thought I would try them. They do look homegrown and seemed softer than the usual ones I buy. Can't wait to try them!

[Fananna]

I finally got the chance to try those ugli tomatoes and I was very disappointed! They just didn't have much taste to me. I would use them if tomatoes aren't a big part of the dish, especially since they're much cheaper right now. I love vine and cluster tomatoes much better and will just splurge on them.