Description

Zena’s Gift Tomato

A rare heirloom tomato that were saved from being lost by Karen Olivier of Canada. Karen is also a breeder of some gorgeous tomatoes. We will post Karen’s story of how she got the seeds for this heart tomato. Zena‘s Gift Tomato is a mid-season plant with regular leaves and an indeterminate variety. They produce these very meaty 12oz (ca. 454 gram) to 16oz (ca. 605 gram) tomatoes that lean slightly toward the acidic side but very flavorful. This tomato would make a great slicer, canning, or sauces. Another tomato you may also like is Australian Beauty Tomato.

The story of Zena‘s Gift Tomato by Karen Olivier

“The story goes: an old man brought a big tomato as a present to a lady he was sweet on who worked with a friend of mine in a garden center about 12 years ago. He had apparently grown this variety here in the Edmonton area for many years, and it was his pride. My friend thinks he might have called it “Chicago”. The lady shared the tomato with the staff at lunch, my friend saved some seeds and gave them to me to ferment. I have grown it often since, saved seed (and it always comes perfectly true).” After discussion on our tomato forum, it was decided to name it “Zena’s Gift” as the lady to whom the tomato was given was named Zena.