Tomatillos are best stored at room temperature until ready for use. They are also very easy to preserve for use in the off-season. One option is to make salsa now and either can or freeze it. Alternatively, you can freeze tomatillos whole and raw. Simply remove the outer husk, wash and dry the fruit. Put them in a freezer bag and pop them into the freezer. They don’t retain their firm texture after freezing, so don’t be surprised if they are soft when you thaw them.
Tomatillos are typically used as a vegetable, but technically they are a fruit. The fruit is hidden inside a husk that looks like a paper lantern. You know the tomatillo is ready to pick when it fills the husk nearly completely.Tomatillos may be eaten raw or cooked and have a mild, tangy flavor that is slightly fruity. When raw, tomatillos are firm with a dense flesh. Once cooked, tomatillos soften and break apart becoming more like sauce. They contain pectin which is a natural thickener. The outer husk is not edible, so this needs to be removed before you use them. The fruit inside might feel a little sticky, which is normal. Just give them a quick rinse and you’re ready to go.
One of the most familiar ways to use tomatillos is in making salsa! Tomatillo salsa may be prepared with all raw vegetables which will give you a fresh, chunky salsa. The alternative is to cook the tomatillos in a little water before blending the softened, cooked tomatillos with the other salsa ingredients. If you cook the tomatillos first, you’ll get a more smooth salsa. Roasting tomatillos along with the other salsa ingredients such as onions, garlic, peppers and even limes cut in half will further develop the flavors of these ingredients giving you yet another version of tomatillo salsa. Tomatillo salsa is delicious when simply served as a snack or appetizer along with tortilla chips, but it can also be used to top off tacos, quesadillas, make enchiladas, or served alongside your morning eggs or stirred into a bowl of black beans and/or rice.
Salsa is not the only use for tomatillos. There are many other interesting ways to take advantage of their unique tang and natural pectin. The tanginess of tomatillos pairs very well with pork and can make a delicious stew which is thickened by the tomatillo. They can also be used to make sauces for chicken and bean dishes, blend them into guacamole, or incorporate them into soups, salads or even dessert!
Growing Information: Tomatillos grow on plants that are similar to a tomato plant, but they are usually larger and have more of a wild, jungle-like appearance. Their main stem is thick and sometimes resembles a small tree trunk! The plants can grow to be over seven feet tall, so we put stakes in between and tie the plants to them progressively as they grow in order to keep the plant upright and the fruit off the ground. Tomatillos grow from pretty little yellow blossoms which are a favorite food source for bumble bees and other pollinator creatures.
