Description

Key Facts

• Key ingredient in Mexican recipes
• Tastes like a citrusy green apple.
• Easy to grow using our indoor pepper & tomato growing system
• Takes about 2 to 3 months to grow
• Where to buy tomato seeds

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Background

Tomatillo also know as the Mexican Husk Tomato. It has been used in cooking as far back as the Maya and Aztec periods.

• Ideal location:
  • Either outside in the summer – Balcony, patio or vegetable garden in sunshine.
  • Or Indoors at anytime of the year – Corner of any room using hydroponics and growing lamp.
• Tastes a bit like a green apple with a citrusy flavour.
• Ideal for Mexican recipes or for cocktail drinks.
• Days from seed to harvest – about 65 to 75 (2 to 3 months)
• About 60 to 90 cm high

Typical Recipes

The tomato is a key ingredient in Mexican recipes. And is ideal for Salsa Verde, as part of a ‘green alcoholic’ cocktail drink. Or when used in a Mexican soup, or as a side dish to roast meals

Used in many Mexican and Central-American recipes the tomatillo has been used as an ingredient as far back as the Maya and Aztec periods.

It tastes a bit like a green apple with a citrusy flavour. A nd the colour will affect all the foods it’s cooked in. It’s a lot smaller than a regular tomato (about the size of a golf ball or smaller)

Example recipes:

• Mexican Salsa Verde (see video)
• Roasted Tomatillo Chicken and Rice Bowls
• Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

2 Ways to grow tomatillo at home

The tomatillo is great for growing at home and will deliver heavy crops on large determinate vines of rounded berries 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Which are enclosed in the thin husk of its extended calyx.

The fruit ripens to a yellow colour, and has a delicious, sweet-tart flavour. Unique garden variety that’s very popular in Mexican cuisine. Matures 65-75 days from germination.

Grow on under cooler conditions and when about 8 inches tall, either plant in their growing position in the greenhouse. Or you can gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions and plant out 18 inches apart in a warm and sunny spot in moist, fertile well drained soil and keep watered.

Don’t forget light & temperature

You can grow tomatillo tomatoes all year round indoors if you add specialised lights.

More information

• How to grow tomatoes indoors
• Where to buy tomato seeds