A Tommy tomato is a type of heirloom cherry tomato which is known for it's vibrant red color as well as sweet flavor and prolific production.
The Tommy tomato is an indeterminate variety of tomato, which means that the Tommy tomato plant continues to grow and produce the fruit throughout the season.
Tommy tomatoes originated in the Ozark Mountains and is a popular choice for home garden.
Tommy tomatoes are also often used in juicing, salads and for snacking.
Tommy tomatoes are often round, small and bright red and are similar to the size of a golf ball or sometimes slightly smaller.
The Tommy tomatoes are also known for their juicy, sweet and complex flavor which makes them a favorite tomato for eating and for other uses in culinary.
Tommy tomatoes come from Tommy Toe plants which are vigorous and produce abundant clusters of Tommy tomatoes and they also often require staking or caging for support.
"Tommy toes" is a colloquial name, particularly used in some regions of the Southern Appalachians, for cherry tomatoes.
The name Tommy toes likely originates from a combination of the word "tomato" and the small, toe-like shape of the fruit, or from a dialectal pronunciation of "tomato" as "tomaty".
Some also suggest the name might be a playful shortening of "tom-a-toes".