Tomatillos are small green or yellow fruits that resemble tomatoes, only they come in a papery husk. It is an ingredient that is often used in Mexican food. Yellow when ripe, most people use tomatillos when they are still green because they are easier to slice. The papery husk is similar to the appearance of the Chinese Lantern plant that is often grown for ornamental reasons. In fact, they are cousins, though the Chinese Lantern’s fruit is tasteless.
The flavor of a tomatillo is slightly acidic with just a dash of lemon taste. It is often used in salsa and other dishes to add a brightness to the flavor. They are related to tomatoes. They were grown by the Aztecs as long ago as 800 BC. They have been popular in Mexican and Latin American cuisines for generations. It grows wild in many Mexican fields, although the domesticated varieties you will see in the United States have very little difference between them.
Tomatillos contain a pectin-like substance that can be used to thicken sauces when it is chilled. They are also called husk tomatoes or jamberries. They are rich in potassium, folic acid, calcium and vitamins C and A. They are also low in calories.
Tomatillos have a solid place in mexican food history. Try them yourself when you make your favorite Mexican recipes. For something different, add them to salad or any other raw veggie dish that could benefit from some tangy flavors.
Chop them and add them to your stir fries. They are tasty when combined with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and other veggies for a quick side dish. They are simple to prepare; just remove the husk and wash them. It is normal for the surface to feel slightly sticky.
They are a traditional ingredient in salsa verde… that green sauce you may see served on burritos, enchiladas, and tacos. Simply combine the chopped tomatillos with onions, garlic, cilantro, Serrano chilies, pepper and salt and cook them for a few minutes on low heat.
Sprinkling cinnamon or cloves on them is a great way to add depth to the tomatillos. Do this when you make jam. This jam can be served as a savory condiment with many dishes. You can also paint it on a roast and let it glaze the meat. Whole tomatillos can be frozen for use out of season.
Tomatillos can be found in specialty markets, some grocery stores and farmer’s markets. You want a firm fruit with snug husks. Look for husks that are pale brown or green. You can keep them in a paper bag in the refrigerator… keep the husks on. They will keep up to a month.
While most of the tomatillos in the United States are grown in Texas and California, they can be grown almost anywhere. They do fine in any place you can grow tomatoes. It likes full sun and moist soil.
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