Paul Robeson – Hold the shaker

Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson

If you like salt on your tomatoes then you’ll love the Paul Robeson variety. Farmer J cut one up this morning, and I couldn’t believe it when she said she hadn’t added salt. Salty and smokey in taste, the dark-red wine color compliments its flavor.

Researching the history of this variety was a mini-history lesson. It’s namesake is said to have one of the largest FBI files of any entertainer and was the first black man to play Othello on Broadway. He was a political activist, singer and athlete. He ran afoul of the government for his views on civil rights, and in 1950 they revoked his passport. If you don’t know much about Paul Robeson, you owe it to yourself to spend some time learning more about him.

I found a picture of a Paul Robeson plant on display at the African American Museum and Library at Oakland. The variety is said to have originated in Siberia, and is very cold tolerant. You can see a picture of the museum exhibit here: http://bit.ly/cSvvK

Complex tasting tomato named after a complex man. Not a bad combination.

Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson

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