Tomatillo

Tomatillos look like small green tomatoes enclosed in a dry, lantern-like husk. Despite the resemblance, they have a distinctly sharp, citrusy flavour that’s quite different from a regular tomato. They’re a member of the nightshade family and are native to Mexico and Central America.

In the kitchen, tomatillos are the backbone of salsa verde and many Mexican green sauces. They can be used raw for a bright, acidic punch or roasted and charred to bring out a sweeter, more complex flavour. They pair well with chilli, coriander, lime, and avocado.

Tomatillos are becoming easier to find in Australia through specialty grocers and farmers’ markets, though they remain less common than standard tomatoes. They grow well in warm Australian climates and are sometimes found at markets during summer.