ACORAZONADO TOMATILLO SEEDS

Physalis ixocarpa (probably)

Landrace from the historic region of Malinalco in Mexico. Unique in every respect. Truly sweet ripe fruits are a deep creamy saturated yellow. Size and shape varies somewhat among plants (as is common in landrace vegetables), but in general fruit shape is that of a large heart or torpedo. The fragrance is absolutely bonkers -- to me they smell like a delectable pastry, and to another nose they smelled like parmesan cheese.

This is a really weird tomatillo.

In our kitchen, we removed the flesh containing the seeds from the outer portion of the fruit, and in some of these tomatillos that part containing the seeds just popped out. It wasn't attached to the outer portion of the fruit. But in other fruits, the flesh was solid, like a typical tomatillo. Weird.

This tomatillo makes really, really good salsa. The flavor is sweet, rich and complex and not at all sour or vegetal like other tomatillos can be, so rather than being a vehicle for flavor, the flavor of the tomatillo was what we actually wanted to taste. Aji Pineapple peppers were a good match in both color and flavor, as were sweet Walla Walla onions. Fresh or roasted, the flavor of whatever we made with these tomatillos was excellent, but we very much prefer them raw. Sweet enough to eat out of hand. So very good. And just a little bit weird.

Start indoors as you would tomatoes, but later, around 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. Transplant well-rooted hardened-off seedlings to the garden in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. Water just until established. At least three plants should be grown together for best fruit production. Five is even better. Planting in blocks rather than rows is also advised.

Plants are large, sturdy and upright. We grew them in a huddle, planted only about 18" apart. They outgrew almost everything else nearby, and held their own against a sprawling Coyote tomato plant. Fruit production is early and continues through autumn.

Ripe fruits do sometimes fall from the plant, so pick them as soon as the yellow fruits just poke out of their husk, before critters or insects have their way with them. Because they will. Nothing can waft the scent of pastries and parmesan without attracting animals.

Grown by Farmacie Isolde.

Packet contains at least 15 seeds.