Tomatillo

[Lissa]

There was a lot of discussion recently about Kumato and I've been keen to try one.

I was at the Caboolture Markets a few weeks back and bought a Tomatillo plant ($1 in a tube - big outlay!), having forgotten that it was the Kumato that I wanted to try (so many similar names - kumato, tomato, tomatillo, tamarillo - Petunias are members of the solonaceae family too!).

Anyway, while there was initial disappointment that I didn't have the Kumato (which won't grow true anyway) I'm now thrilled to have the Tomatillo which is growing great guns.

Looks very similar to the Cape Gooseberry but this plant is outgrowing the CG easily. Below: Tomatillo on the right, CG on the left.

Profusion of flowers and fruit forming.

I see there was earlier discussions back on 2009 about these and something called Russian Pineapple from the same family.

Who's had experience growing/eating these that they can share with me please? And what happened about the Russian Pineapple - anyone growing?

[Elaine de Saxe]

Russia? Pineapple? The mind boggles! Keen to try the Tomatillos, hope they taste better than the Kumatoes (yecch).

[Lissa]

Hmm. I did post a response correcting "Russian" to Cossak Pineapple - not sure where it's gone.

This is a link to the original discussion on all things Chinese Gooseberry like:

discussion

[Lissa]

Was hunting for something else and came across this description of different types of Tomatillo - some are huge! They call one the Pineapple Tomatillo (referring to the flavour) which must be the Cossack Pineapple.

Tomatillo varieties and pics