Do you grow Tomatillo ?

[momol]

Good evening grapes,

Could anyone advice me with growing tomatillo info ?
I know it would be the same like growing chili or tomatoes but I have no idea about the germination days, how big will they grow and how long does it took to maturity(I need those info for space and location considerations)... plus ( sorry so much questions) how do i eat/cook them if they ever produce ?

Many thanks for any informations

Momol

[SarzWix]

They grow the same way as a pepper plant - branching off in the same way, but much taller - the height of a cordon tomato plant. One plant takes the same space as 2 tomato plants (maybe more). Germination is similar to tomato, maturity takes a little longer, more like a bush tomato because the plant takes time to branch out before flowering (my experience). You can use the fruit in salsa & sauces, also make very good chutney They are used in Mexican cooking so maybe you could Google for some Mexican recipes?

Oh, and they need to be pollinated - if no insects can get to the plants, you have to do it by hand!

[Cuke]

I picked up a packet of seed for these at the weekend at random as I'd not seen them before. I didn't realise they would grow so big, looks like they'll be a bit of an adventure this year then.

Any idea what they taste like?

[bramble]

I grew these last year. They grow very tall and need to be staked. You either grow two or hand polinate them I did;nt realise this so in the beginning when they started to form fruit it would just drop off. I polinated them with a birds feather but i did grow two just in case one was no good on its own. These two were in the greenhouse,but i also had two in the open ground outside. Good luck with them. I grew the purple ones and there is a pic of them on the winnere thread if you would like to see what they look like.

[SarzWix]

I picked up a packet of seed for these at the weekend at random as I'd not seen them before. I didn't realise they would grow so big, looks like they'll be a bit of an adventure this year then.

Any idea what they taste like?

Hugh F-W describes the flavour as a cross between tomato & grapefruit! He's not so far off with that description

[Alison]

I grew them last year, outside in the border. Only had 5 plants (from 6 seeds sown) and they were VERY easy. I wouldn't say they were that big (although the weather was pretty rough last year), about 5 foot tops in my case but they did need staking. Very pretty plants with lovely flowers and the fruits looked really nice in their little nets. Used some straight off the plants in a salsa and more in the freezer. Am probably doing Mexican again this weekend so will make up some salsa verdi with them - yum!

Re the pollination bit, no probs if they're outside, didn't have to encourage them at all and will be growing them again this year, not just the green ones, have also got some purple ones so will see what they are like to compare.

[momol]

Thanks Grapes,

I better go and get some more bamboo for staking purpose . Mine is a puple type, read it somewhere that it can be eaten fresh (will try that too) or cook in salsa like what Sarah said. i think I can only grow 2 or 3 plant as there is no more space left.
Again, thanks for all info...

Momol

[rustylady]

Grew some last year, but they had a very late start. They can be pollinated like tomatoes by tapping the plant to release the pollen. However, due to the late start we only got 3 fruits of usable size. The only recipe I could find was for salsa, anyone got any others?

[Habanero]

I certainly recommend them! Lovely things :-)

I have just ordered some more tomatillo seeds from Real Seeds so they will be sown within the next few weeks in the heated propogator. I love Mexican food and i did make a chipotle and tomatillo hot salsa last year and it was fab! I will certainly be growing more than the one plant I did last year!

I don't know if they freeze well? Probably not so may have to pickle the excess for year round usage like I do with my chillies (though they freeze well)

[momol]

Hi Rustylady,

Read it somewhere, they can be eaten fresh but no idea how it taste .
Will try it fresh and cook ( salsa) if they produce . Thanks for the info.

Momol

[momol]

I certainly recommend them! Lovely things :-)

I have just ordered some more tomatillo seeds from Real Seeds so they will be sown within the next few weeks in the heated propogator. I love Mexican food and i did make a chipotle and tomatillo hot salsa last year and it was fab! I will certainly be growing more than the one plant I did last year!

I don't know if they freeze well? Probably not so may have to pickle the excess for year round usage like I do with my chillies (though they freeze well)

Habanero,

Could you describe the approximate taste please ? ( sorry anticipation is always such an excitement for me) and they look so lovely too .
Many thanks...

Momol

[Alison]

I don't know if they freeze well? Probably not so may have to pickle the excess for year round usage like I do with my chillies (though they freeze well)

They freeze great, simply strip them off their husky bits, wipe off the sticky stuff and open freeze before bagging up when frozen. As I don't want to eat them raw, I've found that there is no difference between them fresh or frozen.

By the way, you can freeze chillies also, I chop mine and freeze them in ice cube trays in amounts sufficient for a recipe. Works great and is nice to have them "fresh" all year round.

[gojiberry]

Looking at all the replies everyone seems to grow them as an annual and sows fresh seed each year. I bought one for my daughter as a plant in a pot and was lead to believe that the norm is to grow as a perenial and just protect from frost overwinter. I think they will withstand a degree or two of frost. Anyone overwinter theres.

[Alison]

Didn't think to try, they were a bit wind swept by the end of the summer anyway so I just pulled them out and composted them.

[zazen999]

Hi
I grew these last year and they were ginormous. Took over the courtyard for a while. Will be growing some again tho' great to have hanging around the place.

I used mine for ages, mostly in chillis - alongside tomatoes - gave it a different edge. And made a few dips/salsas - much more successful than the drisly toms from last summer. they can be overwintered, but I found they needed to be in the ground and as soon as the first frost came mine shrivelled up and the tomatillos themselves went all gooey. But if you can pot them up and keep them frost free, should be ok.