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Delicious Tomatillo and Tomato Salad
What is a tomatillo?
A tomatilla is also known as a Mexican tomato, husk tomato, husk cherry, jamberry, or ground cherry. Looking at the picture to the right, it is easy to see where the name husk tomato comes from. It does look like a green tomato with a husk on it.
In fact, once the husk has been removed it is often confused with a green tomato.The tomatillo is a member of the nightshade family.
Tomatillos are available year round in the grocery store. When purchasing, look for ones that are unblemished and firm. They should be evenly colored with tight fitting husks. Tomatillos are most often used when they are firm and green.
Tomatillos are very healthy being low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.They are an excellent source of Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron and Copper. They are also a good source of Vitamin C and K, Potassium, Manganese, and Niacin.
Serving Bowls for your Salad!
Tomatillo and Tomato Salad
I do not remember the first time I saw a tomatillo in the grocery store, but it wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to see what this vegetable tasted like. I had seen and tried verde sauce in various restaurants, and I liked it; but I had no idea what a raw tomatillo tasted like.
So I purchased just one and brought it home to see how it tasted. The taste fascinated me, as I had never tasted anything quite like it. In fact, the taste is difficult to describe. It has a tart citrus flavor (lemony) when it is dark green; but as it ripens to a dull yellow-green color, the flavor is not quite as tart and additionally a bit sweeter.
After tasting it, I decided to try tomatillos in a salad with tomatoes. I experimented with different ingredients and eventually created the following recipe.
This recipe calls for avocados. To remove a pit or seed from an avocado, cut the avocado in half. Then holding the avocado with fingers out of the way, carefully whack the pit with a knife. Twisting and turning the knife at the same time should remove the pit. Then carefully remove the pit from the knife and discard. See pictures to the right.
Peeling an avocado is easy when using the following technique. After halving and removing pit, cut the half lengthwise into 4-5 sections. Peel the skin off as shown in the picture to the right.
Tomatillo and Tomato Salad
Ingredient list:
- 4 small to medium avocados
- 3 T. lime juice (fresh squeezed or bottled)
- 1 bunch of cilantro
- 4 T. minced garlic
- 2 pounds tomatillos
- 2 pounds roma tomatoes
- 3/4 cup finely chopped onions
- 1 t. season salt
- 1/8 t. cracked pepper
- 3/4 cup chunky blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing
- 1 T. chili powder - optional
- 1/2 t. cayenne pepper - optional
In a large bowl, measure out the lime juice.
After peeling the avocado sections, cut into pieces and stir into the lime juice to prevent the avocado pieces from browning.
Wash bunch of cilantro. Coarsely chop cilantro. Add cilantro and garlic to avocado pieces and mix well.
Soak tomatillos in water for 15 minutes to expedite the removal of the husk. Remove husks from the tomatillos and rinse well.
Cut tomatillos in half. Remove the stem ends as shown in picture above.
Cut tomatillos into pieces by first slicing one way and then the other as shown in the picture at the right.
Repeat the same process with the Roma tomatoes.
In a large bowl combine tomatillos, tomatoes, and onions. Mix well together with salt, course ground pepper and salad dressing. For a spicier salad, also add chili powder and cayenne pepper.
Add avocado mixture to tomatillo and tomato mixture. Blend well. Chill overnight to allow flavors to blend.
Moisture will form on top of salad. Mix back in before serving or wick up with paper towels.
This recipe can be halved easily.
Hoping you enjoy my Tomatillo and Tomato Salad creation.
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2012 Cindy Murdoch (homesteadbound)
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Comments: "Easy Tomatillo and Tomato Salad"
Ok this is my favorite salad hub.. I love it.. I am book marking it.. and sharing.. and pinning
voted up
debbie
I will keep a look out for these seeds. Thanks Cindy.
What an interesting combination -- I don't know that I've ever tasted a tomatillo but they can be found at our supermarket. Going to try this recipe out. Voting this Up and Useful.
I am a Salad and soup lover. Your Salad looks yummy but getting tomatillo or avocado in my country could be a herculean task. Voted up and tweeted.
I can't wait to try this, Cindy! I loved your presentation and all the helpful pictures, thanks.
Oh, this looks sooooo good! I love the taste of tomatillos, but I've never tried making anything with them. I agree, they have a great, tart flavor unlike anything else. I like the idea mentioned above of frying them, too - I love fried green tomatoes, and I can see how these would work well. I hope, anyway!
Voted up and awesome!
LOVE it Cindy. I am going to purchase some tomatillo. had no idea that this would complement tomato and avocado so well.
thanks and voted up and shared.
I love anything that contains avocados and tomatoes, so this will definitely be a regular recipe in my home from now on. Looks and sounds delicious! Voted up, useful and bookmarking.
You have captured my attention with the recipe ingredients. This can only lead to a sweet reward of taste and health benefits. Glad to hear your harvest turned out well for you.
Beautiful presentation! The photos are so helpful, especially the ones showing how to pit and peel an avocado. I'm ashamed to say that I learned this technique just a year or so ago and was amazed at how easy it is to do and how kind it is to the avocado flesh. Up!
Relatively early here in the morning but looks great... now I'm hungry... Love the way you have included pictures.
Hugs
I grew-up with avocados and tortillas and refried beans and limes, etc, etc, but not tomatillos in anything you could really make them out in - a couple of years ago I brought a few tomatillos home form the grocery store, as I cook Mexican (well, the California/Mexican I grew-up with) all the time . . . but I had never cook with them before. Here's my question; is their flavor very potato-like? They look and feel very much like an unripe tomato, but these tasted like uncooked potato - were they not yet ripe or too ripe, or is that their normal flavor?
Hi Cindy,
I had never heard of this Tomatillo and will be on the lookout for it.
It is amazing the amount of fruit and vegetables that we 'don't' eat,
Anything that informs us of new ideas has got to be good news.
Voted up interesting and sharing.
Great Photos, Ingredients look very fresh!! Looks very tastey!
It looks like I have found another great avocado recipe! I can't wait to try it! Sounds delicious! Voted up and bookmarked!
Oh my, homestead! You incorporate so many of my fave ingredients--avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, garlic. I've never eaten tomatillos raw but I have used them to make green chili/salsa, and I've even fried them! I am definitely trying this recipe. Well done. Great photos!
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