Curtis Cheek Tomato

Description

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Curtis Cheek Tomato

Curtis Cheek tomato is still #1 on my list. It’s without a doubt the best tomato that I have ever tasted. In 2002, while I was visiting a friend in Pittsburgh, I enjoyed walking around the neighborhood alone while he was at work. About 6pm one Fall evening, as it just started turning dark , I stumbled upon a lush tomato garden in someone’s backyard. As I stood in amazement, I thought I heard a frail voice whisper something. Suddenly, my eyes saw a little old man walking towards me. He was well dressed in white shirt, golfing cap and neat khakis.

As he slowly approached, he spoke again.”Can I help you”? he said. I replied in amazement, “yes sir”. I asked, “what are those?” From a somewhat hunched over position, he suddenly stood up straight and with a heavy European accent, said, “you don’t know what those are?” I said “I know they are tomatoes, but what variety”?

The Curtis Cheek Tomato Story

He then began to tell me the story. His name was Ross. He was in his 80’s and he had migrated to the States, from Russia, about 45 years prior. When he came to the USA he brought a few seeds with him and had grown them ever since. He also thought that it was necessary to tell me that he never parted with his seeds whenever he grew the plants out, except for the one time when he let his son have some. I was told that his son lived with his girlfriend at the time but, during the period when the plants just started fruiting, they broke up. Ross then asked his son to take him to his house where he pulled up and stomped on all 10 plants. He then offered me seeds from other veggies in his garden. Basil, sunflower, beet and radish seeds were offered, but not the one thing I truly wanted.

Finally The Seeds Of My Dreams.

A few minutes later, Ross asked me if I would like to taste them. In surprise, I replied, “YES!” Instead of plucking one right off the vine, he slowly walked back to his house and returned with a very thin slice with what seemed like it had no seed cavities.. Disappointed, I accepted it and place the entire thing in my mouth. I slowly started using my tongue to feel around my mouth. I thought I felt a seed but wasn’t sure. By this time my mouth was full of saliva. I said bye to him and walked away. As I went around the corner I used my tee-shirt to strain the contents in my mouth. There were two seeds. Growing them out the following Spring, only one plant made it. It was loaded with fruits! In 2010 I named them the variety Curtis Cheek tomato. The rest is history! See Upstate Oxheart Tomato.