Tomatillo

Also Mexican Green Tomato, Jamberry, Mexican Husk Tomato, Tomate Verde, Tomate de Cascara, Fresadilla, Tomatito Verde, Miltomate, Tomate de Bolsa

This star of Mexican salsas is one of about a hundred Physalis species, among which the best-known edibles are the ground cherry and Cape gooseberry. Commonly called Chinese lantern plants, because of their unusual formation, this group has fruits that are enclosed in papery calyxes that cover them like Oriental lampshades. Dry as antique leaves, parchment-colored, the web-like enclosure is easily peeled off to reveal the fruit. The tomatillo (toe-mah-TEE-yo), which ranges from an inch in diameter to plum-sized, resembles a green cherry tomato (both are members of the Nightshade family) but is more lustrous and firm. Although it may be purplish, and may ripen to yellow, it is commonly used green.