Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Tomatillos What are They and an Bonus Recipe

The tomatillo is a small spherical husked tomato. Normally green in color but may be green and purple. This plant originated in Mexico and were used prior to Columbus sailing to the Americas. In fact scientist have dated a fossilized tomatillo found in the Argentina area to 52 million years BP. 


Tomatillos can be eaten raw or cooked in a grand variety of dishes. The Mayans and Aztecs would use the tomatillo in a great variety of ways. Tomatillo's offer a green color and tart flavor due to their high pectin content. 

Storing tomatillos is easy as well. Simply refrigerate the entire ripe tomatillo for about 2 weeks. Removing their husks and placing the tomatillo in a sealed plastic bag will prolong their lives even longer. In addition, you can freeze the entire or sliced tomatillo. 

The tomatillo is a great food source and can be harvested at different stages of development to gather in that sour taste. Picked early the fruit is sour with light flavor. Later in season the fruit is  seedier more like a tomato. Drying the fruit offers a sweetened enhancement that similar to dried cranberries. The tomatillo is commonly used in stews, soups, salads, stirfries, baked, cooked with meat, marmalades and even desserts.

Chicken Tomatillo Salad

DRESSING

  • 1 cup husked and quartered tomatillos
  • 3 tablespoons light Italian dressing
  • 1 fresh Anaheim chili, seeded and chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

SALAD

  • 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken or turkey
  • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
In a blender or food processor container, purée tomatillos with dressing, Anaheim chili, and ground black pepper; set aside.
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss.
Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well to coat.
Cover and chill for 20 minutes or make a day ahead to allow flavors to blend.
Serve on lettuce-lined plates or bowls.
Makes 6 servings - 1 cup per serving.

10 comments:

  1. This salad looks so fresh! I've only used tomatillos once but I always want to try recipes with them. They aren't as easy to find here as in the US. I'm sure now that I live in a large multicultural city I'll be able to find them!

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    1. hope you do find them and are able to try this recipe

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  2. The recipes of this season are always the best. So good. So read on. So fresh!

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  3. I have not heard of tomatillos before. I think it is not available in my country, however, I would love to eat tomatillos salad, looks delicious!

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  4. I have made a green salsa, but I had no idea you could eat them raw. I didn't grow up eating tomatillos, so I am not familiar with them outside a recipe. I want to try this salad. I looks sooo good!

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  5. So we don't have tomatillos in Pakistan, I used to think it has something to do with tomatoes lol. Anyway, thanks to this post now I know what tomatillos are, seems like I'm missing out on something good!

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  6. I don't know that I've ever tried these before. I've seen them in stores though, I'll have to pick some up because that salad looks amazing!

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  7. I think Im going to love this recipe! I need to check this one out if I could make it myself. <3 Thank you!

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  8. Never heard of tomatillos. But the salad looks really fresh.

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  9. As a salad lover, will surely try this, thanks for the recipe!

    xo,
    Anna
    ❥ https://www.annalovelife.com/

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