From the world-class garden of acclaimed food writer Amy Goldman, a gorgeously illustrated guide to the world’s most beautiful and delicious tomatoes.

Every year, renowned grower Amy Goldman produces an amazing 500 varieties of tomatoes on her farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. Here, in 250 gorgeous photos and Goldman’s erudite, charming prose, is the cream of the crop, from glorious heirloom beefsteaks – that delicious tomato you had as a kid but can’t seem to find anymore – to exotica like the currant tomato, a pea-sized fruit with a surprisingly big flavor. Along with the photos are profiles of the tomatoes, filled with fascinating facts on their history and provenance; a section of more than 50 delicious recipes; and a master gardener’s guide to growing your own. More than just a loving look at one of the world's great edibles, this is a philosophy of eating and conservation between covers — an irresistible book for anyone who loves to garden or loves to eat.

"The luscious beauty of heirloom tomatoes is captured in this paean to one of the world’s most evocative fruits. Goldman, a grower and horticultural preservationist, looks at the tomato’s history, provides tips for gardeners and presents gorgeous, artistically rendered photos of different varieties in all shapes and sizes along with their stats: size, weight, flavor, best uses, etc. From the “Bonny Best” to the “Black Zebra” to “Aunt Ruby’s German Green,” the photos are seductive and the text engaging. For the last third part of the book, Goldman provides recipes, proving that these tomatoes are not just another pretty face, although the accompanying photos themselves look pretty enough to eat. Goldman embraces many cultures in her recipes, using the tomatoes in salsa, cocktails, pasta, tapas and, of course, the quintessential American dish: fried green tomatoes. The recipes are simple and healthful, ranging from tricolor gazpacho to Savory Tomato Custard to Cherry Tomato Focaccia. Forget about that pale, hard, tasteless stacked tomato in your local supermarket and go wild; this is a book to inspire passion. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)