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Periwinkle
My Weather
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| Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 08:18 am EST : |  
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My GB friend, Elvis gave me some of these and I thought it such an interesting, attractive plant. Have any of you grown these? Denise
periwinkle No. Wisconsin z3b |
   
Greg

My Weather
My Garden
| Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 08:59 pm EST : |  
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Yes I have. Is that fruit i see on yours? Generally, you need two plants for fertilization and fruit set, but I think they are developing varieties now that don't. They can grow very big - wide and bushy. I had a tomatillo jungle a few years ago. Also, the fruit that falls comes back a thousandfold in volunteers. I haven't grown them for 3 years and I'm still pulling seedlings out of my garden. They are neat though.
Enjoy Summer! You're gardenbuddy, Greg, NDZ4 |
   
Periwinkle
My Weather
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| Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 09:16 pm EST : |  
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Greg: Thanks for answering. I actually have 3 plants in the garden & there is fruit setting for sure. I have a question though. How do you know when they are ripe? Do they turn orange or brown? How do they taste? Thanks. Denise
periwinkle No. Wisconsin z3b |
   
Ej

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| Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 09:21 pm EST : |  
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Tomatillos here are green and medium firm when ripe.
Ej So. Calif Zone 10a |
   
Greg

My Weather
My Garden
| Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 08:15 pm EST : |  
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Actually, tomatillos are really under-ripe when they are green and firm, but I that is when they are best for cooking and making salsas. Yes, they plump up and become firm - the husks may or may not split, depending on how big the fruit gets. If you let them stay on the plant until they ripen, they will turn a yellow color and become just a little bit softer. They develop a very different flavor and a touch of sweetness. You never see ripe tomatillos in the stores. I think most people don't care for the flavor and like them younger and tarter.
Enjoy Summer! You're gardenbuddy, Greg, NDZ4 |
   
Jak3

My Weather
| Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 09:54 pm EST : |  
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I also grew them a few years ago, and they were extremely productive. We had them green and we had them yellow. We used them like tomatoes, but my family wasn't all that thrilled with them, and we went back to tomatoes. Like Greg says, you'll have volunteers for ever! I occasionally buy them because they are unique and different, and I like them for a change.
Julie; Merrickville, Ontario, Canada, Zone 4 |
   
Periwinkle
My Weather
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| Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 10:55 pm EST : |  
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Thanks EJ, Greg & Julie: Now one more question--a recipe for making salsa? My friend, Elvis, is wondering also & posted this ? on Social Gallery. Do either of you have a recipe? Thanks. Denise
periwinkle No. Wisconsin z3b |
   
Greg

My Weather
My Garden
| Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 05:56 am EST : |  
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I posted some information about how I make salsa in the garden recipe forum. Just be sure you husk and wash the tomatillos well. They have a sort of sticky substance on them.
Enjoy Summer! You're gardenbuddy, Greg, NDZ4 |
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