Tomatillo

[Paulottie]

Hi Momol, So you'll be hiring a turf stripper then?!!

[momol]

I would love to hire one if I can find it and slowly build raised bed system again .
We will have to (eventually) invest in a mini tractor for mowing the land too (it is a bit over 2 ha) which the normal electric mower can't cope . We went to have a look at those machines (mini tractors) last week and they are so pricey.

[Paulottie]

Get a goat!

[momol]

We are thinking of advertising it as "free fresh grass : come, mow as much as you can and take them away for free"

[Paulottie]

Ok, looking good now.... so how do I tell when the tomatillos are ripe?

[gojiberry]

I think when the outer bit goes brown and like paper and the fruit inside should be a dark purple. Not sure but I think some people use the fruit when still green but not to sure of that.

Ian

[Paulottie]

Thanks..that reminds me mine are suposed to turn purple...definately still green but have got loads of them!

[zazen999]

Firstly the fruit inside should fill the paper wrapper...if so then you can use them pretty much straight away - I used to chop mine into chillis etc as soon as the wrapper was full.

Some do wait until the husk dries out, which is probably the way to go if you want them raw in salsas.

[Alison]

Would be very surprised if they're ready in the UK yet, didn't pick mine until well into August last year but suppose it was a rubbish year and I probably planted them a bit late. Don't really like them raw particularly but they make mighty fine salsas.

[Angie Heys]

Hi everyone
Great reading about all your experiences with tomatillos. This is my first year with them, I planted them to go with my S Marzano 2 for soups and passatas. I've got them on the lottie and in the greenhouse so I'll let you know how they do.
I haven't got a handle yet as I dont understand what all those boxes mean in my profile.
Angie

[SlugLobber]

Have never heard of these! Are they crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside?!? Sorry, couldn't resist. Off to Google em now...

[Demeter]

Hi everyone
Great reading about all your experiences with tomatillos. This is my first year with them, I planted them to go with my S Marzano 2 for soups and passatas. I've got them on the lottie and in the greenhouse so I'll let you know how they do.
I haven't got a handle yet as I dont understand what all those boxes mean in my profile.
Angie

Hi Angie, welcome to the vine!
You'll get the hang of all the boxes and things eventually.

[Paulottie]

Welcome to the vine Angie....not sure i've got the hang of all the boxes yet!

[somersetsue]

saving tomatillo seed

I am also growing tomatillo for the first time this year with great sucess. so far made delicious salsa verde and some chutney. Anyone tried saving the seed and do you have any advice?
p.s. The seed I used was a mix of red and green tomatillos. The red ones do go purple (and seem to be smaller) and the green ones stay green.

[Alison]

Grew them for the first time last year but didn't try saving the seed. They did very well last year even though the plants didn't seem as large as some peoples. This year, the plants are enormous but the fruits seem to be forming later. Am sure I'd picked quite a few by now but mine are a way off yet this time.