Speaking of tomatoes

It's funny the little things we suddenly remember from early childhood. Yes, our minds play tricks on us, but some memories are so clear and visual, they must be real. 

Something jogged a Pennsylvania farm memory when I read a Smithsonian magazine article about the revival of the Rutgers tomato. It was introduced in 1934 in New Jersey, a state famous to this day for delicious summer tomatoes.

By the 1950's, almost all tomatoes commercially grown in the United States were Rutgers. Fresh produce wasn't transported vast distances then, and people didn't expect perfect looking fruit year round, albeit hard and cardboardy tasting.  

Farmers liked the Rutgers plant for its early season fruit and disease resistance.  Food companies liked the bright color and it was the basis for Campbell's soup.  The variety eventually fell by the wayside, until a former food scientist for Campbell's set out to recreate the Rutger's by combining its original parent plants.

According to the article, Rutger seeds are available again, although the researchers caution that it might not live up to everyone's expectations because "people are comparing it to a memory."
Isn't that the truth?

Anyway, back on our farm, I remember one year Dad was a contract grower for Campbell's, and he planted a field of tomatoes near the barn. Everything was done on a small scale in those days. We thought it was exciting that "our" tomatoes (probably Rutgers) would go into the famous condensed soup, which was a relatively fancy thing.

I also remember at least one tomato harvesting panic on the farm, with our parents frantically picking at night before frost ruined the crop.  If fact, I can hardly recall a moment when they weren't working hard at something, taking care of us, the animals or crops.

Well, our little tomato crop (two Roma, one cherry) is in the pot, so to speak. I also planted a jalapeno pepper plant, which are quite prolific growing up against the hot south wall of the house. The weather is finally warming up into the pleasant 60's.