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Tomatillos

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Photo of many tomatillos
Photo of several tomatillos growing on a plant
Photo of fruits and vegetables
Photo credits (left to right): Photo credits (top to bottom): Flickr: Robert Gaskin; Flickr: timlewisnm; Flickr: Stacy Spensley

Foods Included

Tomatillo, also known as husk tomato or Mexican green tomato

Description

Tomatillos are green, tomato-shaped vegetables covered by a papery husk. They are about 1 to 2 inches in diameter that can ripen to be yellow, but taste best when green. Tomatillos are used to make green salsa (salsa verde) and are commonly used in enchiladas.

Buy It

  • Choose tomatillos that are firm, green, and shiny that are firmly attached to their husk.
  • Avoid tomatillos that are yellow or feel sticky.

Store It

  • Store tomatillos at room temperature for up to a week loosely wrapped in plastic in the fridge.

Cook It

  • Remove the husks and rinse tomatillos before cooking. They may feel sticky, and that's ok.
  • To make Salsa Verde, roast or boil the tomatillos for about 5 minutes until tender. Put tomatillos in a blender with lime juice, onions, cilantro, and chili peppers and pulse until smooth. Season to taste with salt.

Why It's Great

  • Vitamin C keeps our immune system strong and helps our bodies heal quickly.
  • ​Vitamin K helps our bodies heal quickly.
  • Niacin is a B vitamin that helps our body change carbohydrates into energy and improves our circulation.
  • Potassium, a type of electrolyte, helps build muscle and keeps your heart healthy.
  • Fiber helps with healthy digestion and keeps us feeling full.  Eating enough fiber has been shown to keep our hearts healthy too.

Try It

Chili Verde
1 hr 25 mins
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Chicken Tomatillo Salad
20 mins
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Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
20 mins
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Tomatillo Salsa
20 mins
Photo of prepared tomatillo salsa
Avocado Salsa
10 mins
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Chicken and Vegetables with Mole Sauce
1 hr 5 mins
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