How do tomatillos differ in taste from under-ripe tomatoes?
I can't get access to tomatillos, but I would like to know what they taste like.
This helped me a bit, but it's not entirely clear to me what would be different between tomatillos and under-ripe tomatoes.
Or are tomatillos closer to something else?
Best Answer
Under-ripe tomatoes definitely seem to me like they weren't exactly meant to be eaten like that. There are certainly still things one can do with them, but the flavor isn't always what you'd like (see tastefive's comment); they were selected for their characteristics when ripe. Tomatillos, on the other hand, have always been used like this. They're supposed to be tart and bright green (unless they're a differently-colored variety). I think tastefive was pretty on-target with the mention of lemon juice; they have a nice bright tartness to them but definitely no bitterness. They're quite pleasant to eat fresh, if you're the kind of person who likes tomatoes and fruit. (I just ate one to make sure I wasn't lying to you.)
A much bigger difference, though, isn't taste: tomatillos aren't really juicy. You can slice and dice all you want and your cutting board will still be dry. This is pretty clear from pictures - here's one I found with Google image search:
This makes them very well-suited for the kinds of Mexican sauces they're traditionally used in, more so than a green tomato would be.
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Are tomatillos just unripe tomatoes?
Tomatillos, sometimes called husk tomatoes, are a staple in Mexican cuisine. The small, round, green fruit is a member of the nightshade family, and comes from a plant of the same name. They look almost like unripe, green tomatoes\u2014except tomatillos are wrapped in a dry, papery, corn-like husk.What do unripe tomatillos taste like?
But you'll recall that green tomatillos are themselves the unripe versions of tomatillos, so the two actually have quite a bit in common. They both have a tart, acidic flavor and firm, almost crunchy texture, and can be used in many of the same ways.Can you eat under ripe tomatillos?
Tomatillos can be picked and eaten when they are either underripe or fully mature. Ripe tomatillos will have that classic sweet-and-savory tomatillo taste that kind of reminds you of tomatoes (and can be used as a substitute for tomatoes in some recipes).Are tomatillos poisonous when not ripe?
Underripe tomatillosAll other parts of the plant\u2014including the lantern, leaves, and stem\u2014are poisonous, so wash your tomatillos well.How to Tell When Tomatillos Are Ripe
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Answer 2
I always see tomatillos in the larger grocery stores (Safeway, Whole Foods) and decided to try them for the first time today (5/18). I found them to be delicious. They were sweet, not tart as one answer stated; nor were they juiicy. I just sliced and ate them with no salt, pepper or dressing and enjoyed them very much. I did not find them to be like an under-ripe tomato, just a sweeter, less juicy version. Will definitely buy again.
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