Tomatillos and When to Harvest

Tomatillo is also known as Toma Verde or the Green Tomato. It is not a tomato, it is a member of the nightshade family, related to tomatoes. Tomatillos are grown like a tomato and the leaves and plant look similar to a tomato however, that is where the similarities end. Most people don't know what to expect when growing Tomatillos because many people are generally unfamiliar with them.

The fruit of a Tomatillo is green (there are also purple and yellow varieties often grown outside the U.S.) and about the size of a small tomato or large cherry tomato. The inside flesh is white and meatier than a regular tomato and tomatillos grow inside a thin paper-like husk. The interesting thing is that the husk forms first and looks like a paper lantern hanging from the branches (see above image - My Tomatillo plant on August 21, 2009) and then the fruit grows inside until it fills the husk. If you look up at your Tomatillo from below the plant, you can see inside the husk and see your Tomatillo growing. Tomatillo plants often grow to about 5 or 6 feet tall and require caging or a support trellis.

Harvesting: Tomatillos are ripe when the paper-like husk turns brown and breaks open. Remove the husk and rinse the oily substance off. Store in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use them.