Tomatillos 29 June 2007 at 8:50PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Greenfingered MoneySaving 14 replies 1.2K views

Zazen999

Hi all
Just wondering if any of you have ever grown Tomatillos - sort of like tomatoes, but each one has it's own little cage; they are used for salsas - come from South America.
It's just that my first one [i am growing about 12, 6 of two different varieties], the first one has it's first flower on it, and i was just wondering how long it was until i can harvest the first one - and whether they need any special treatment.
i feed them weekly like the toms, and am growing them in 2 batches with about 6 weeks in between - and growing them in 2 areas, so that they don't cross-fertilise.
Any experts out there - please shout. Getting quite excited that it has flowered. Can't find any decent advice on the internet anywhere.
Thanks
Andrea

alanwjones

This might help, - http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/tomatill.htm

CountryWife_2

Hi zazen
I have grown tomatillos in the past and am growing some more this year. They are just as easy to grow as tomatoes, but they dont have as many fruit on each plant as tomatoes so you need to have the quantity to make up for it. 12 plants should be fine, i have 6 in the greenhouse and am astonished to find some have self seeded into the garden, dont know how they got there! i cant remember how long from flowering to harvest, but you have to wait until the outer covering begins to dry.
Good luck

Zazen999

Many Thanks both.

katskorner

I am growing them too this year but I only have one plant as the slugs got he other one just after I planted it. I have mine growing at the end of my runner bean frame. I have never grown them before and my Dad gave me two spare plants from the seeds I got him for Christmas.

I love trying different stuff out!

Zazen999

My first one has 2 flowers on it - quite exciting to see how it develops.

CountryWife_2

Hi Zazen and Katskorner,
how are your tomatillos shaping up?
Mine are looking good but still not quite ready to harvest yet, although i have got one that has grown enormous - about 2 inches in diameter and still not quite ripe yet! The outdoor ones are a bit behind my greenhouse plants, but they all still have flowers on them, so it looks like a good harvest.

katskorner

I lost mine as our allotment was flooded and we lost everything.

My Dad has still got his plants though planted with his runner beans in his bean frame and they are yielding continually at the moment - I have some in my kitchen to try but I can't decide what to do with them!!

mistah

We're growing them this year and the great thing is they don't seem to get blight! Virtually all the tomatos on our allotment site have got blight and our tomatillos appear to be the sole survivors. Apparantly they make very authentic salsa and very good chutney.

CountryWife_2

Bad luck KatsKorner,
This season has been terrible for growing your own, I feel really sorry for those people who have grown their own veg for the first time this year. I hope it doesnt put them off completely, it can be so satisfying.
Back on the subject of tomatillos, my mexican cookbook says they have to be cooked to bring out their full flavour, so i guess a cooked salsa, or try this recipe;
Chicken in green almond sauce

place chicken pieces in a flameproof casserole or shallow pan, cover with stock and simmer for 45 mins. drain the stock into a measuring jug and set aside
Saute an onion and garlic, add green pepper, jalapeno chilli, tomatillos, cook until softened
Add chopped coriander and some ground almonds, and a little stock and puree in food processor
Replace in the pan, add the chicken and more stock if necessary and heat through. Season to taste.
Serve with rice, garnished with coriander

Adapted from ElizabethLambert Ortiz book 'Taste of Mexico'

cant wait to try this myself.

Calephetos

CW: I was a first-time veg grower this year, and with the poor clay soil in my tiny garden and the weather I'm feeling a bit bad at it. The carrot patch has kept me sane (the only thing that really worked) and I'm planning next years - not letting it put me off, but I feel like I can't manage a garden or a house...

Back on-topic, I've been tempted by tomatillos - they look so cute! Until I have more space for warm-loving plants I'll have to give them a miss, though maybe I could fit one on a sill...

(I impulse buy veg seeds...)