I never heard of this until I happened across a program on Rebecca's Garden. In researching it, I have confirmed that it is a relative of the tomato and that there is a husk around the actual fruit. Also it can be used in salsa is my understanding.
What I am wondering is do these taste like a tomato? Because if they do, then why bother growing them? Also, do they look and feel like a tomato once you peel off the husk? Last but not least, besides using them in salsa, are they good in salads and right out of the garden too?
I'm curious enough to try them, it's just that I never heard of such a thing!!!
Thanks. :)
Megan
A tomatillo??
They sell them in most grocery stores, so try a couple before you commit. They have thier own taste and like tomatoes slightly different among the different varieties. The ground cherry which grows wild in parts of the eastern US is also in the same family but a different species.
Yes, a "relative" of what we call a tomato but a rather distant relative.
Megan, you might have had salsa verde at some point ("Mexican salsa") and it was most likely made with tomatillos.
As for flavor comparison, very different from "tomato". Also, the texture, (and taste), etc are no comparison. And no, in my opinion, they are not something you'd want to pick and eat right away, or by itself, like you would a tomato.
I'd grow some out if I were you though. I believe you'd like the whole process. (Grow more than one plant though 'cause they need pollination from another plant to produce fruit.)
Shoe.
Okay thanks Farmerdill and Shoe. :)
You're welcome.
I forgot to mention that (being the miser that I am) when I grew them I just grew out store-bought tomatilloes. Although there are quite a few different kinds/colors available via catalogs I chose to just pick the biggest ones I could see at the grocery store. There was very quick germination and the plants grew great! Quite a nice harvest, too!
Shoe.
I like the purple ones. They're a bit smaller, but the taste is tart, and I like to eat them slightly chilled. The plants tend to be a bit weak at the joints and when heavily laden with fruit may break. A support frame will help prevent damage.
Megan, I'm 60 miles to the east and my tomatillos have been flowering for many weeks but I have yet to see any fruit. They are excellent in salsa verde and I also had a great chili recipe that included them.Maybe we're out of range. Anyone have better luck? There are a few weeks left in the season so I remain hopeful.