One of my tomato varieties this year is Green Zebra, and that’s pretty fabulous. I’ve had Green Zebra tomatoes before, purchased from the farmer’s market, and paid a pretty penny for them.
Apparently I paid such a pretty penny that I only remember that fact, but not what they look like when they’re ripe.
So my question of the day is this: Now that I have lovely Green Zebra fruits on the plant, how do I know when they’re ripe and ready for harvest? Because, of course, my usual red flag that a tomato is ready isn’t going to help me this time around.
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:38 am
Funky. I’ve never seen them, but I found these two references to the fruit turning golden with dark green stripes when it’s ripe:
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?category=1&subcategory=54&item=2276
http://www.localharvest.org/store/item.jsp?id=7179
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:44 am
Excellent resources, Heather — thanks! These definitely aren’t ready to go yet, but hopefully soon. They have such great flavor!
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
I have never heard of these … Please take pictures too when they are ripe!
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I’ve grown these the last few years and love them. The seeds came free from Baker Creek and they now hold a permanent place in my tomato lineup. When they are ripe the background color is a deep golden and the stem end yields to slight pressure. Hope you enjoy them!
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
What an interesting dilemma! I would love to find out. How about sniffing them? most fruit and veg have an aroma when they are properly ripe. Perhaps that will work?
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I planted one of those…sigh… It died with the rest. Let me know how wonderful it is. I have to live tomato life vicariously this summer!
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
I have grown these and wished that I had the color clues that Sally mentioned. I ended up FEELING them for ripeness. When they gave slightly to pressure, they were ready.
Bon Appetit! They are WONDERFUL tomatoes.
–Robin
on Jul 2nd, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Kate, I’ll definitely post pics and a tasting report when I’ve got them ready to go. Can’t wait!
Sally, thanks for the tip — they’re so delicious, and I’m looking forward to enjoying them.
Matron, the sniff test is a great idea!
Katiez, I feel so badly for you. Feel free to come here for as much tomato love as you need…I may fully turn the blog over to tomatoes in August.
Robin, I’ll add the pressure to the list. Thank you for the tip!
on Jul 3rd, 2007 at 4:34 am
I have heard of these. I wonder if they will be striped inside too.
on Jul 3rd, 2007 at 7:43 am
Growthumbs, I’m trying to remember…I don’t think they will be. I think they’ll just be a solid green color.
on Jul 5th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
[...] Published July 5th, 2007 Status check , Fruit No sooner had I asked the blogosphere about how to recognize a ripe Green Zebra tomato when I wandered outside to find [...]