How to Understand Tomatillos

As our country becomes more culturally diverse, there are fruits, vegetables and other foods on the market with which we are not familiar. Tomatillos, pronounced toh-MAY-tee-yo) or husk tomatoes, are one of those. They are a relative of our tomato, and were actually cultivated by the Aztecs as far back as 800 B.C. They contain Vitamin C, are tart and tangy in flavor, and principally used to make Mexican food, particularly Salsa Verde, or Green Salsa.
(See How To Make Fresh No Cook Tomatillo Salsa) Here's how to understand and a few ways to use tomatillos.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tomatillos are fruit
• Papery covering must be removed
• Buy only those that are green
• Contains 3.978mg of Vitamin C per tomatillo
• Contains small amounts of both protein and dietary fiber
• Contains 10.88 calories per tomatillo

1. Understand that they are not tiny tomatoes. They are a relative of the tomato, but much more tart and tangy in flavor. They are considered to be a fruit, not a vegetable. They can be easily grown with seeds and just as easily frozen for future use.

2. To use, you must first remove the papery covering. Then wash the sticky residue off with cold water before using. If you plan on freezing them, you can freeze them whole, or chop before freezing. However, because the chopped surface is exposed to the air, there will be a vitamin loss as well as potential flavor loss.

3. If they are beginning to turn yellow, pass them up. Buy only green tomatillos. The vitamin C, protein and fiber content figures are only valid for green tomatillos. After they begin to yellow, even a little, those figures decline rapidly, plus the taste suffers as well.

Tips & Warnings

• You may substitute green tomatoes and a small amount of lemon juice in recipes calling for tomatillos. But the authentic taste you are looking for is not possible without the tomatillo.

[nancycarol]

on 9/19/2009 Thanks for your comment, rating and recommendation on How to Understand Tomatillos. I used to wonder about them too. Welcome new friend.

[nank712]

on 9/19/2009 I've seen those at the farmers market and wondered what they were. Thank you for explaining them! 5* and a recommend.

[ginamichellesat]

on 9/11/2009 Very interesting article, I never even heard the word before! Learn something new everyday!

[nancycarol]

on 9/5/2009 Barbie, thanks for your comment and rating on How To Understand Tomatillos. In the Southwest we use these a lot, but I'm finding that lots of people don't know what they are or what to do with them. Hope this helps.

[barbiecrafts]

on 9/5/2009 ok...ok...I saw something on diners drives ins and dives where this restaurant out west served hamburgers with a green chili sauce....I bet it was this...seemslike it was....ok...thanks! yum...now I want one of those burgers ...5