Organic 'Cipolla's Pride' Tomato
Organic 'Cipolla's Pride' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a meaty, heirloom Sicilian tomato, rich and perfect for homemade sauces
The 'Cipolla's Pride' tomato is a heritage variety deeply rooted in the Cipolla family history. Imported from Sicily to Brooklyn in 1906 by Emilio Cipolla, it has been carefully cultivated and selected for over a century. Indeterminate, vigorous, and highly productive, it forms large 10-16 oz fruits in concentrated clusters, making harvesting easy and ensuring impressive yields.
Its flesh is dense, dry, meaty, and almost seedless , making it an exceptional paste tomato for homemade sauces , stews, preserves, and dishes where a natural concentration of flavor is desired. It cooks quickly and develops a rich, deep, and classic flavor , highly prized by both home gardeners and gourmets. 'Cipolla's Pride' combines the reliability of a carefully preserved lineage with the culinary excellence of great Sicilian tomatoes.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until mature)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/Carry : Indeterminate, vigorous
Plant height : 120 to 150 cm (4–5')
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Sicilian family line since 1906, dry flesh, very few seeds, excellent sauce tomato
Fruit color : Deep red
Fruit shape : Elongated oval / pasta type
Fruit size/weight : Large (10–16 oz)
Fruit type : Paste/sauce tomato
Texture/flesh : Meaty, dry, very few seeds, cooks quickly
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting out . Plant seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in light potting mix and maintain a temperature of 23–29 °C until germination (5 to 10 days). During the hardening-off period, reduce watering and nitrogen to produce thick, strong plants.
Transplant after the last frost. Space plants 60–90 cm (24–36") apart, with 120–180 cm (4–6') between rows. Provide full sun , regular watering (level 3) , and install sturdy supports to hold up heavy bunches.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit reaches a uniform deep red color . To advance the harvest, pick those that have already begun to show color , then allow them to ripen at 22°C or higher outside the vineyard. Store the fruit between 12–21°C and 95% relative humidity to maintain its firmness.
Usage ideas
• Ideal for rich sauces , stews, ragù, coulis and preserves
• Perfect in roasted tomatoes , concentrating its Sicilian flavour
• Excellent for Mediterranean dishes , pasta and pizzas
• Delicious when freshly prepared for a thick and meaty salsa
The 'Cipolla's Pride' tomato is a rare and exceptional variety: a preserved Sicilian heritage, remarkable culinary quality, and generous yield. An essential tomato for gardeners passionate about deep and flavorful homemade sauces.
