Tomatillos
Introduction
Tomatillos originate from Mexico where they are a staple of the diet – equivalent to our tomato. They are easy to grow in the UK, suitable for growing in large pots or in open ground.
Although they look like a green tomato, they taste more like a green pepper combined with fruity lime juice. They make delicious salsa and soup.
Planting
- Sow in a warm environment: a propagator or sunny windowsill
- Planting depth: surface sow with a fine covering
- Planting spacing: 1 m between plants and rows
Harvesting
- Harvest when the size of a large marble (and before the husks and the fruit turn purple)
- Store in a fridge with the husks on, or turn into salsas or soups and freeze
(inside)
(outside)
(fresh)
(stored)
= jar, = freeze, 
= store
Varieties
A relative of the tomato, tomatillos originate from South America. Unlike tomatoes, tomatillos develop inside a green papery hood. They taste somewhat like a green pepper combined with fruity lime juice, and are great for making salsa, sauces, and soups. Tomatillos are best eaten when green and young, about the size of a ping pong ball or a little smaller. When mature, tomatillos start to turn purple and develop a more sour flavour.
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Growing
Tomatillos are remarkably hardy for a plant from the warmth of Mexico and grow well in the UK climate. The plants are easy to grow from seed in the spring, and are much easier to care for than tomatoes, as they do not need pruning or staking. The plants grow quite tall and wide, but will be happy in the same size pot used for tomatoes, or planted directly in soil once the last frost has passed. Tomatillos grow well inside a polytunnel or greenhouse, but this is not required to secure a harvest. Tomatillos self seed freely so, with luck, you may find young plants growing around your garden or plot the following year that can be nurtured to harvest.
If growing in pots, plant the seedlings deeply as the buried stem will also produce roots. Provide a rich soil by mixing in homemade compost or some well rotted manure.
A tomatillo harvest will be on its way soon after the blooming of its bright yellow flowers. After pollination from a neighbouring tomatillo plant, these flowers will be followed by the formation of green hoods, inside of which will grow the little green fruit.
Tomatillos should be available to harvest from late July onwards. Squeeze the paper husks to check that the tomatillo is the right size for harvesting. For best flavour, harvest tomatillos whilst they are a fresh, bright green colour.
Tomatillo plants produce a high yield of fruit. For a family of four, two to four plants is normally sufficient. Tomatillo plants are not self fertile. For pollination and to secure a harvest, a minimum of two plants is required.