3/18/13

Tomatillos


The Tomatillo.  It's used most commonly in Mexican dishes.  It can be served raw, stewed, roasted, grilled.  And I think most people are turned off by it's appearance in the grocery store.  The husks are not edible, people.  They are super easy to remove from the tomatillo.  Also, the tomatillo that you find in the produce section will most usually be green, but can also be found yellow, red, or purple.  It has a tart taste.

The fruit originated in Mexico.  And the reason that it is called a toma-tillo is that originally it was called a tomato.  But after Spanish conquests of Central America, the larger, red, more liquid laden fruit was called a tomato.  And so, the little green fruit was given the name tomatillo.

Health benefits?  Tomatillos contain an anti-oxidant called withanolides which are known for their anti bacterial and anti cancer properties.  It is a source of Vitamin A, C, and E.  They are most commonly seen in salsas and salad dressings.  My favorites are Salsa Verde and my mock version of Cafe Rio's Creamy Tomatillo Dressing.