Solanum lycopersicum.

One of the oldest documented tomato forms in Europe. When the tomato arrived from the Americas in the 16th century, it looked nothing like today's big red sphere: Renaissance herbals describe small, ribbed fruits, yellow or red, and among them these little pear-shaped tomatoes that appear in European seed catalogues from the early 19th century under the name Red Pear. They have crossed two centuries without changing, passed from garden to garden long before any seed company existed, simply because they produce enormously and never disappoint.

A vigorous indeterminate plant that produces, in long clusters, dozens of small miniature-pear-shaped fruits of about 20 grams and up, bright red, with smooth skin and firm, low-juice flesh. That firmness is what makes it versatile: unlike a round cherry tomato that bursts and gives off a lot of water, the Red Pear holds. It slow-roasts in the oven with olive oil and thyme without collapsing, it dehydrates remarkably well for winter stores, it goes into jars whole, and it stays firm in a composed salad made ahead. Eaten straight off the plant it's frankly sweet, with just enough acidity.

Grower's tip: it's a very productive indeterminate, which means two things. First, sturdy staking is mandatory from transplanting: a loaded plant in August weighs several kilos, and a stake driven in too late breaks roots. Second, regular but moderate suckering: removing the shoots in the leaf axils keeps the plant manageable and airs the foliage, but with a variety this generous, suckering too severely amounts to throwing away clusters. Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost at 22-25 °C, transplant burying the stem up to the first leaves for deep rooting.

• Open-pollinated. European heirloom variety. Self-pollinating, low crossing risk, an excellent candidate for seed saving.
• Height: 1.8 to 2.2 m. Indeterminate plant, sturdy staking essential.
• Maturity: about 70 days after transplant. Fruits of about 20 g and up, in clusters. Continuous production until frost.
• Exposure: full sun, sheltered from wind.
• Rich, deep, well-drained soil. Space plants 60 cm apart. Mulching recommended to stabilize moisture.
• Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. Transplant once all frost risk has passed and the soil is at least 15 °C (late May/early June in Québec).