Giannini

This variety is also known as “Eleanor’s Tomatoes”, and or “Frank’s Tomatoes”, in parts of Maine.  From what I have read, the story goes something like this.  

Back in the 1970’s, Eleanor Gray of Bristol Maine had given some seed to a book store manager named Frank.  Eleanor had told Frank that she was told that the seeds originated from Italy. 

Later on Shelley Sparrow of Minnesota had got the seeds from Frank the book store manager and had given some to Carolyn Male in 2008.  Carolyn listed them in the SSE listing in 2009 and also offered them in her seed offer that year at Tomatoville.

What we still do not know about this wonderful variety is who named it?  We just know that Shelley mentioned that Eleanor's stepson had got the plants from an elderly man in Shresbury Ma in about 1969, and was told that the seeds came from Italy.

Giannini is a great slicing tomato that is very juicy- too juicy to be a paste; Indeterminate, regular wispy leaf type.  This plum tomato is elongated- 3-5 inches long, weighing between 5-6 oz.