Amish Paste Tomato
Lycopersicom esculentum
Seeds per pack ~25
Germination: 97% Sep 2024 Packed for 2025
'Amish Paste' brings together bright red, heart-shaped fruits with meaty, juicy texture, and rich sweet-tart flavor. Considered by many to be the classic paste tomato, it's flavorful and juicy enough for slicing, but with great flesh density for cooking down. Very few seeds, which can make sauces and pastes bitter. Sweeter flavor than other paste tomatoes.
DAYS TO MATURITY: 80 days
PLANT DESCRIPTION: (Lycopersicom esculentum) The Amish Paste tomato is an heirloom tomato variety known for its unique characteristics and versatility in the kitchen. Originating from Amish communities, this tomato plant typically reaches about 4 to 6 feet in height and produces elongated, plum-shaped fruits with a distinct pointed end. The tomatoes are meaty, with few seeds and a sweet, rich flavor. Amish Paste tomatoes are renowned for their excellent sauce-making qualities, making them a favorite for canning, preserving, and creating flavorful pasta sauces. The plant itself is hardy and relatively compact, making it suitable for home gardens. With its prolific fruit production and exceptional taste, the Amish Paste tomato plant embodies the heritage and culinary traditions of the Amish community while offering a delicious addition to a variety of dishes.
HISTORY: 'Amish Paste' brings together bright red, heart-shaped fruits with meaty, juicy texture, and rich sweet-tart flavor. Considered by many to be the classic paste tomato, it's flavorful and juicy enough for slicing, but with great flesh density for cooking down. Very few seeds, which can make sauces and pastes bitter. Sweeter flavor than other paste tomatoes.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: These tomatoes are a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, which supports immune function and skin health. They also contain significant amounts of vitamin A, promoting vision and overall well-being. The Amish Paste tomato is low in calories and fat but provides dietary fiber, contributing to digestive health. Additionally, tomatoes, in general, are renowned for their lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant associated with various health benefits, including heart health.
FOOD PREP: Amish Paste tomatoes are a top choice for creating robust and flavorful pasta sauces. The dense flesh of the Amish Paste tomato lends itself well to canning and preserving, ensuring a supply of delicious sauces throughout the year. Beyond pasta dishes, these tomatoes are also ideal for crafting salsas, soups, and stews, providing a deep, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste of various culinary creations.
GROWING TIPS: Amish Paste thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10, where warm summers provide the long growing season needed for large, meaty fruits. Seeds should be started indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date and transplanted outdoors once soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F (16°C). Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Plants require full sun and benefit from staking, caging, or trellising to manage their vigorous growth. Consistent watering and mulching help prevent cracking and blossom-end rot.
HARVESTING GUIDANCE: Fruits are ready to harvest about 80–85 days from transplanting, when they are fully red and slightly soft to the touch. Because the fruits are meaty with fewer seeds, they are best picked at peak ripeness for fresh use or processing. Regular harvesting encourages the plants to continue producing throughout the season. For best storage results, harvested fruits should be kept at room temperature and used quickly, as they do not store as long as smaller salad or cherry types.
