​GROW YOUR OWN FOOD – TOMATILLOS 

GROW YOUR OWN FOOD – TOMATILLO (tom-a-tee-o) The tomatillo, also known as the Mexican husk tomato. Tomatillos originated in Mexico and were cultivated in the pre-Columbian era. Used for verde (green) salsas & sauces. The seeds for this plant were from a fresh tomatillo bought in a grocery store.

Flowers on a tomatillo plant
Tomatillo Plant

GROWING 

Choose a sunny location in your garden. Can be grown in a large pot. Use organic soil. Enrich with plant or animal compost. 

Tomillito with husk and one with yellow flower
Tomillito husk forming around fruit
You can set plants deep like you would a tomato plant. by burying most of the plant. Space plants about 3 feet apart. Use a cage or trellis to support the plant as it grows. Although not necessary. Grow in the same way as you would tomatoes. 

Once the flower falls, the green back of the flower will start to grow around the fruit. Forming a papery husk. 

Kid go wild over this. Because it is freaky and kinda cacoon like. It is helpful in getting them into growimg food. And knowing where food comes from.

3 green tomillitos with husks
Tomillito ripening with husks on

ROASTED TOMATILLO SALSA

INGREDIENTS

    • 1-1/2 pounds fresh tomatillos
    • 5 fresh Serrano chiles.
    • 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
    • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
    • 1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
    • 2 teaspoons sea or Kosher salt

Directions

  1. Preheat your broiler.
  2. Remove husks and rinse under warm water to remove stickiness.
  3. Broil chiles, garlic, and fresh tomatillos on rack of a broiler pan 1 to 2 inches from heat, turn once, until tomatillos are softened and slightly charred, about 6-7 minutes.
  4. Cool garlic and chilies slightly. Peel garlic and pull off tops of chiles. Seed if you do not like your salsa to hot.
  5. Purée all ingredients in a blender.
  6. chilled and cover.
  7. Makes 3 cups.

 

Salsa Verde

  • 1 pound tomatillos , husks and stems removed, rinsed well and dried
  • 9 scallions
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and threaded onto wooden skewer
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¾ cup fresh cilantro, minced
  • 2 Serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and minced
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea or Kosher Salt
  • Cast iron skillet or flat pan
  • pan lid
  1. Brush tomatillos, scallions, and garlic with 1 tablespoon oil.
  2. Place tomatillos, scallions, and garlic on pan.
  3. Cover and cook until tomatillos, scallions, and garlic are charred on both sides and soft.  This should take about 8 to 10 minutes
  4.  Transfer vegetables to a plate.  Let cool to the touch.
  5. Chop scallions.
  6. Place scallions, tomatillos, garlic, cilantro, Serrano, lime juice, sugar, cumin, chipotle powder, remaining 2 tablespoons oil in food processor or blender. Pulse until mixture is roughly chopped.
  7. Transfer to bowl and season with salt and lime juice to taste.

 

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