Tomatillos
Inventory, 38 lbs : 29.23
This item was last sold on : 05/01/24
Description/Taste
Tomatillos, also commonly known as husk tomatoes, are about one or two inches in size with a characteristic papery outer skin. The slightly sticky husk encloses a firm, green fruit, and as the husk begins to dry it splits open and fades from green to light brown as the fruit matures. Tomatillos are harvested when the fruits are still immature, and they have a very tart flavor, much different than their relative, the tomato. However, Tomatillo plants do grow similar to tomatoes, though they seldom require staking, set fruit faster, and are somewhat more cold tolerant. They are low sprawling plants that reach an average of two to four feet in height and produce high yields of the husked fruit, which are often described as looking like Chinese lanterns as they hang on the plant. Tomatillos are open-pollinated, meaning that their seed will reproduce plants identical to the parent, and for a good-sized crop, it is recommended that you plant two or more together to encourage cross-pollination.
Seasons/Availability
Tomatillos are available year-round.
Current Facts
Tomatillos, literally meaning “little tomatoes,” are botanically referred to as Physalis philadelphica, formerly Physalis ixocarpa, and like all species in the genus Physalis they are distinguished by their papery outer husk. The Tomatillo is a relative of the tomato, as both are members of the Solanaceae family, also known as the nightshade family. In Mexican and Guatemalan culture, the Tomatillo may be called miltomate, tomates verdes, tomates de cascara, or tomates de fresadillas.
Nutritional Value
Tomatillos are denser in minerals than their relative, tomatoes, as they are packed with unique phytochemicals and flavonoids. Tomatillos are rich in dietary fiber, and have good amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, niacin, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Tomatillos also contain unique antioxidant phytochemicals called withanolides, which have been directly linked in several studies to anti-cancer and antibacterial roles.
Applications
Tomatillos can generally be used in similar ways to regular tomatoes, although they offer a slightly more tart flavor and contain less sugar. That tart, slightly acidic taste makes them perfect for use, either raw or cooked, in salsas, sauces, or even jams. When used in salsa, Tomatillos tone down the hotness of chilies and help blend the flavors of the different ingredients. They are credited as the source of the "piquant" flavor in authentic Mexican cuisine, and the slightly immature green fruits are used as the key ingredient for traditional salsa verde, which can be served with just about anything from enchiladas and quesadillas to fried chicken and more. Diced raw Tomatillos also add a nice crunch to fresh guacamole, and they pair well with onions, cilantro, chili peppers and garlic. When harvested at their more ripe, golden-colored stage, they are often used in stews or simmered with meats for flavoring. To prepare the Tomatillo for use in your recipe, remove the papery husks, then rinse and dry the fruit. Tomatillos typically are not seeded before use in cooking. Store Tomatillos with their husks intact for about three weeks in the refrigerator in a paper bag. If you wish to keep them longer, you can remove the husk, wash the fruit, and freeze them.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Tomatillos are a staple ingredient in Mexican cuisine, especially for authentic salsa verde. In Mexico, it is also believed that a decoction of the Tomatillo calyces can be used to treat diabetes.
Geography/History
Tomatillos are native to Mexico and Central America, where the Aztecs first cultivated them as early as 800 BC. Like tomatoes, Tomatillos are a warm season crop and they cannot stand frost. Take care to plant them after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm. The vigorous Tomatillo plants do best in full sun in a sheltered position.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Coasterra | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
Smokin J's BBQ | San Diego CA | 703-314-1486 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
Snooze - Del Mar | San Diego CA | 888-703-5300 |
Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Barrio Star | San Diego CA | 619-501-7827 |
Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
Hawaiian Fresh Seafood | San Diego CA | 858-299-8862 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Gold Finch | San Diego CA | 619-804-2051 |
Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Camino Riviera | San Diego CA | 619-685-3881 |
Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
Books and Records | San Diego CA | 619-310-5298 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Home & Away - Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
Chosen Foods | San Diego CA | 877-674-2244 |
Nomad Donuts | San Diego CA | 619-431-5000 |
Comma | San Diego CA | 6198029183 |
The Mission EV | San Diego CA | 619-232-7662 |
Tap Room Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
The Guild Bar- Banquet | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
La Dona | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Harbor View Hotel Ventures, LLC | San Diego CA | 619-239-6800 |
Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe 1 | San Diego CA | 858-405-2401 |
Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe 2 | Poway CA | 858-397-2922 |
Common Theory Chula Vista | Chula Vista CA | 619-495-3689 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Carnitas Snack Shack Harbor Dr. | San Diego CA | 619-295-3173 |
The Guild Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
The Mission MB | San Diego CA | 858-488-9060 |
Mackenzie Elizabeth Personal Chef Services | Poway CA | 858-357-3455 |
The Corner Drafthouse | San Diego CA | 619-255-2631 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
Bound Coffee | Oceanside CA | 760-805-3505 |
Nutmeg Bakery & Café ( Danielson ) | Poway CA | 858-405-2401 |
KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
Botanica | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
Fish Guts | San Diego CA | 619-888-0081 |
Mission+Garnet | San Diego CA | 858-361-0870 |
Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
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Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
Tavern at the Beach | San Diego CA | 858-272-6066 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Manna | Encinitas CA | 510-366-3057 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
Bang Bang | San Diego CA | |
Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
Wonderland Ocean Pub | San Diego CA | 619-255-3358 |
SB Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-3735 |
El Sueno | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 7608224226 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Communal Coffee - Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 619-920-7887 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
Sandbar Sports Grill | Mission Beach CA | 858-488-1274 |
Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 858-245-3780 |
Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Cliffhanger Cafe Menu | San Diego CA | 858-452-9858 |
The Lion Share Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
The Remy (bar) | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
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Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
Alejandra's Cocina (Bar) | Carlsbad CA | 858-500-5075 |
Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
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Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
Paradise Point Resort Tidal | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
Sabor a Vida Café & Deli | Vista CA | 760-536-3331 |
Cantina Mayahuel | San Diego CA | 619-283-6292 |
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Monarch School | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
Monarch School (Nutrition Lab) | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Belching Beaver Brewery - Pub 980 | Vista CA | 760-420-7764 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
Junkyard Sports Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-407-8500 |
The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
The Cottage | La Jolla CA | 858-454-8408 |
Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
Coya Peruvian Secret | Del Mar CA | 619-295-3172 |
Watershed | San Diego CA | 619-495-9814 |
The Mission NP | San Diego CA | 619-220-8992 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
Single Fin Surf Grill | San Diego CA | 619-948-7873 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
The Lab Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 619-861-8299 |
Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Rabbit Hole | San Diego CA | 619-255-4653 |
Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
West Brew | Del Mar CA | 858-412-4364 |
The Islander | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Tomatillos. One is easiest, three is harder.