Types of Tomatoes for Burgers and Sandwiches
Everyone has their favorite tomato and because we all have our own personal taste, the type of tomato you use on your burger is your business. That said, most people are of the opinion that slicing tomatoes versus paste or Roma tomatoes are the ideal sandwich tomato varieties. Tomatoes for slicing tend to be large, meaty, and juicy – the better to go with a ¼-pound of beef. Because slicing tomatoes are large, they slice well and can cover a bun or slice of bread easily.
Sandwich Tomato Varieties
Again, the best tomatoes for slicing are dictated by your taste buds, but the following varieties have been listed as favorites:
Brandywine – Brandywine is likely the hands-down favorite, the original large pink beefsteak tomato. It is also available in red, yellow, and black, but the original pink Brandywine is the most popular.
Mortgage Lifter – One of my favorites is Mortgage Lifter, named after the developer of this big beauty who used the profits from the sale of his tomato plants to pay off his mortgage.
Cherokee Purple – Cherokee Purple is an heirloom that is thought to have come from the Cherokee tribe. This large, dark red tomato tinged with purplish/green is a sweet accompaniment to burgers and BLT’s.
Beefsteak – Beefsteak is an old standby. An heirloom with large, ribbed fruit that is meaty and juicy, and a perfect tomato for slicing and just plain eating with or without the bread!
Black Krim – The Black Krim is yet another heirloom slicing tomato, a bit smaller than those above but with a rich, smoky/salty flavor.
Green Zebra – For something a little different, try slicing up a Green Zebra, named for its green stripes backlit by a golden yellow base. The flavor of this heirloom is tangy rather than sweet, a nice change and a gorgeous color.
Not all slicing tomatoes need be heirlooms. There are also some hybrids that lend themselves deliciously as sandwich tomatoes. Try slicing up a Big Beef, Steak Sandwich, Red October, Buck’s County, or Porterhouse on your next burger or sandwich creation.
