Months ago I had the pleasure of dining at what is now my favorite restaurant in Toronto, Czehoski. On the menu was an heirloom tomato salad with buffalo mozzarella cheese and I went for it. When the dish arrived I was amazed at the appearance of the tomatoes: they were beet red and multiple greens (like a watermelon – see the picture). And the taste was terrific. So what is an heirloom tomato?

An heirloom tomato is an open-pollinated (non-hybrid) cultivar of tomato. For the most part these are the tomatoes that existed decades ago, before the mass-commercialization and breed of produce to select the ones that will survive long-distance transport. Maclean’s Magazine has an informative article on heirloom vegetables.

I recommend that you seek out heirloom tomatoes. The look and taste are well worth any premium. I have even seen some at national grocery chain stores in Ontario.