Tomato Annarita Winter Italian Pomodoro d’Inverno (Solanum lycopersicum)

Description

Annarita Storage Tomato – Extend Your Harvest Into Winter

The Annarita Storage Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a rare Italian heirloom known as a pomodoro d’inverno-meaning “winter tomato.” This unique variety was traditionally grown in southern Italy to provide fresh, flavorful tomatoes throughout the colder months, long after the summer harvest was gone. Its firm skin, dense flesh, and exceptional keeping quality make it one of the best long-storage tomatoes you can grow. When properly harvested and stored, Annarita tomatoes can last up to six months, hanging in clusters or laid gently in crates in a cool, dry space. For home gardeners who want to extend their tomato season naturally, this is an extraordinary choice.

Annarita produces clusters of round to slightly oblate, saladette-sized fruits averaging 30–50 grams each. The flavor is bright, balanced, and refreshingly acidic, an authentic Italian taste that remains remarkably fresh even after weeks of storage. Unlike most long-keeper tomatoes that sacrifice flavor for durability, Annarita maintains its character and color beautifully. It’s perfect for slicing onto crusty bread, tossing into fresh salads, or adding to simple winter dishes where garden flavor is hard to find. Traditionally, Italians enjoy these tomatoes sliced over friselle (toasted bread) with olive oil and oregano , a rustic reminder of summer sunshine in the middle of winter.

This indeterminate, open-pollinated variety matures in about 75 days from transplant and continues to set fruit through late summer. Plants are vigorous and productive, best supported by staking or trellising for airflow and easy harvesting. Start seeds 5–8 weeks before your last frost, transplant once nighttime temperatures stay above 45°F, and space plants 18–30 inches apart. Annarita thrives in full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. For the best storage performance, pick fruit when fully colored but still firm, then keep them in a dry, well-ventilated area—never refrigerated. With minimal handling and the right conditions, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown tomatoes into the winter holidays.

Add the Annarita Storage Tomato to your garden this year and experience what Italian families have known for generations: true tomato flavor that lasts well beyond summer. Sow, grow, and savor the taste of heritage all season long, then enjoy the reward of your own “winter tomatoes” when the snow falls.