Tomatillo, Amethyst & Emerald Geodes (Organic)

Physalis philadelphica (synonym Physalis ixocarpa). 75 days.

This breeding project has been a long time coming and we are super proud of the results! After noticing a Plaza Latina Giant Green tomatillo with an interesting purple blush, Andrew decided to use the serendipitous cross to breed a new tomatillo. Little did we know that Andrew’s favorite fruit has quite the wild outcrossing potential and a desire to be as diverse as possible. It took 7 years to start seeing anything predictable in the population and we have now gotten to a point where we can call it a new variety.

Still diverse, Amethyst & Emerald Geodes Tomatillo produces a beautiful range of both greens and purples. Fruit varies in size from 2 1/2” – 4” across, becoming smaller as the plants grow bigger. Most of the fruit are semi-hollow inside and when cracked open like a geode, show a beautiful crystalline shimmering core of amethyst or emerald. Plants grow to 4’ and appreciate a trellis. The flavor has been selected to maintain a sweet-sour brightness that is rich with umami depth reminiscent of groundcherries and truffles. We love them in salsa verde and in stewed chile verde, but we were blown away by their use shaved raw into a sour corn slaw developed by our friend Tiffany Norton of Party Downtown Bar and Restaurant in Eugene, Oregon. We had never tasted anything like it before and we have craved those flavors every day since.