You say tomayto, I say tomarto...

[bronwen]

Hello all,

Last sunday I decided to travel to a farmer's market as they were having a plant fair and it was a lovely day out.
I managed to limit myself to purchasing just 3 tomatoe plants, a courgette and a cucumber.

Anyhoo, two of the tomatoes are plum types allegedly called:
San Marzano grosso - large plum tomatoes
San Marzano medio - medium plum tomatoes
After a quick google I didn't see these names mentioned, and hadn't been aware of them previously either. So, just wondering if anyone has heard of them or if perhaps they are just 'san marzano' fullstop?
Thanks

[taff]

there are different types of san marzano.
I had SM Lungo and SM Versuvio last year.

[Snadger]

I got a packet of San Marzano which were described as an F1 variety. Hardly like ly when there was about 100 seeds in the packet? San Marzano Lunga I think?
I also got some seesds free from somewhere which were just called San Marzano.

Its the grosso which I would be interested in for sun dried (dehydrated) tomatoes!

[WendyC]

Monty Don was planting San Marzano in his greenhouse on Gardeners' World last night. If you didn't see it you should be able to get it on iplayer. Can't remember how he said he used them as I was a bit tired after a long session on the allotment and then ironing!

[VirginVegGrower]

They are a plum type tomato suitable for making sauces. Use oven roasted with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs. After they are softened, blitz in a processor and freeze in bags once cooled. They are your basis for pasta sauce, soups, stews, etc.

[Nicos]

Have a look at this.....

San Marzano Tomatoes: Growing, Varieties, History, Making Sauce & A Lot More...

[bronwen]

Belatedly, thank you all for your replies.

I can't wait to see how the plants develop! There are now flowers on the san marzanos and also my sunbaby and tumbling tom cherry tomatoes.

I am very excited about the tomatoes!!