Growing Tomatillos from SEED to HARVEST and How To Use Them! 🤤

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Want to restore the planet's ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 200 people to join Planet Wild will get the first month for free at planetwild.com/r/kiwigrower/join/8 Thanks guys! -Kalem, Snowy and Sky :)

[@iri3977]

Heyy Kalem, love your garden. And, MEGA Thanks - signed up for Planet Wild - so appreciate your spirit of generosity ... your Awesome 👍 Mauri Ora!!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks so much and that's great to hear you've joined! You're awesome! :)

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Please welcome Sky to the family everyone! :) 🐕

[@WHALEx3]

🤩 welcome!

[@iri3977]

Awww, Blessings Sky 🥰

[@leseraum779]

Welcome 🤗

[@edisonbocboc]

welcome sky!🫶🥰

[@veganwinter]

Welcome sky ❤ 🫂

[@lokmor]

2:40 He multiplied ! Truly a gardening wizard.

[@OvenBakedCookie]

Dude your videos are always so informative, easy to watch, relaxing, colourful, and hopeful! Amazing stuff as always :)

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks so much, really appreciate that!

[@DavidS5118]

Each video is a labor of love since it tends to take an entire season to film. Thanks you for sharing.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks, you're very welcome :)

[@heidibear44]

This was really informative. Thanks! Just popped some seeds in a few days ago, I'm in South Africa so it's nice to follow Southern hemisphere channels 😊 new subscriber 🎉

[@HadassahHaman]

Great video! Ive been growing tomatillos for a few years now. However, always enjoy seeing other people's methods and processes. Loved the review. Thx for the video. 😊

[@carolineashley7456]

Awww welcome Sky!! And snowy, as adorable as ever 😍

[@veganwinter]

Love growing and eating tomatillos! Again what a wonderful video! I'm growing the purple ones this year so I'm excited to compare. My three little girls and I just adore your gardening, animals, cooking and leasons so much! Thank you for another wonderful journey you took us all on. Love from QLD.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Awesome, hope you get a great harvest from them and so glad you and your family enjoy the videos! :)

[@gartengeflugel924]

Hi, great video again. My climate is quite a bit colder than yours and less maritime, but let me tell you how well tomatillos do even here. The first year I was as careful and worried about them as my tomatoes, but by the second year they started self seeding everywhere last years plants stood and grew with great vigour still. So far they seem to get no diseases here, apart from often physically breaking apart due to their incredible fruit load. Snails will sometimes eat the fruit, but even these voracious little creatures will usually rather stick to the leaves and calyxes. So I can recommend these plants to any who in their climate struggle with other tasty subtropical fruit, since these ones are so forgiving and surprisingly tolerant of cool weather (as our summers here are not generally so hot). Cheers

[@TheKiwiGrower]

That's great to hear they do well there! They do seem like pretty resistant plants :)

[@Pfsif]

I cut up my tommas and caramelize them in a frying pan then to the blender with the same ingredients. The smokey flavor transfers.

[@VK-qo1gm]

Thanks for the tip, will try 👍

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Sounds good!

[@gryphonrampant1]

golden tomatillos (chupa de malinalco) are another very yummy variety. I use them fresh or dried in all sorts of dishes. Anymore, i only use tomato cages for tomatillos.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Good to know! Thanks

[@gosiapuciowska1071]

Kalem, it's so great to see how you're progressing with your videomaking skills! These vids are getting crazy professional, I hope that many new viewers get to see your amazing content 🥰

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Hey, really appreciate that, thanks so much :)

[@MitchK_]

Didn't know the sticky part was a repellent, very cool. Those tacos looked amazing! I'm jealous and hungry now 😂

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Haha I was also hungry editing it 😅

[@scottmcnaughton539]

Brilliant video, bought some seeds for this upcoming Aussie summer, can't wait for spring to roll around and get started.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Sweet! All the best with them :)

[@planterbanter]

Kiwi, it takes months, if not years to film your footage for just one video! And we get to sit back and watch it all 10-20 minutes! Been watching for 7-8 years, and I still get pumped when you post your videos. Thank you mate! 👏

[@camillacambridge2890]

I just ordered these seeds! Excellent timing, thanks for the tips 👍🏼

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Nice, you're welcome! :)

[@siarlbychan]

Wonderful tutorial and information about a fantastic vegetable included in salsas. I did not know that information about the obvious waxy surface. But in my experience, unless a person uses a heavy duty soapy solution (I wouldn't recommend that), to wash the tomatillos, the waxy substance will remain and will disappear in the blender or heating aspect of the recipes and so I think the healthy ingredient will hopefully remain in the final dish of salsa etc. Thank you!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks so much for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video and learnt something new! :)

[@robinwhitsell1995]

Your videos are amazing! It's no surprise that you are also so invested in conservation efforts. I adore your channel. P.S. that salsa looks incredible. I have a couple happy tomatillo plants (I usually use for ceviche) and I'm excited to try your salsa verde recipe.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks so much, I hope you like it!

[@johnferradino]

That's a lot of salsa verde and tomatillos to get through!

[@allout12]

The recipe works great but a bit spicy 🌶 Thanks for the great videos keep it up!

[@TobyJin]

Thanks for this video, it was really informative and well edited 👍 Here in Australia, I haven't seen fresh tomatillos in supermarkets, but there are seeds for sale at Bunnings. I grew them successfully for the first time last season and they were delicious (the 'Toma Verde' variety). I wasn't sure why the ones I grew in the ground ended up just producing loads of leaves and no fruit at all, but the one I grew in a container produced fewer leaves but had loads of fruit. Would you happen to know why that was the case? Furthermore, towards the end of summer, I found that most of my tomatillo plants were infested with 3 lined beetles and their larvae. These pests love to feed on the leaves of the plants, and ended up almost defoliating my plants. How did you deal with potential pests that may feed on the plants? Also, for the salsa verde, I find that by adding a squeeze of lime at the end along with coriander provides another layer of freshness to the sauce. Thanks again for this video.

[@Xamy-]

Those bees are so cute

[@TheOnyxFlame]

Salsa verde is also great if you roast the tomatillos first, that's how they usually do it in Mexico

[@TheKiwiGrower]

I'm sure the smokiness would be good :). The way I made it is also a common traditional method - I was surprised how much flavour it packed!

[@MegaTepatitlan]

You can do sun dried tomatillos and whenever you need them add water and they will taste the same. The husk is used to make tamales with no lard or oil and they will taste better.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

So cool, thanks for the tip!

[@ExploringSumatra]

Snowwwwy what a star. Great video bro - so interesting!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@ZoneKei]

Oh nice, I'm currently growing the same king seeds Tomatillos because of your older videos on them! Mine are also quite leggy.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Good luck with them! :)

[@rachaelkennedy250]

Perfect timing, I started my seeds yesterday! It's the first time I've grown them so I appreciate the info!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Hope they go well for you!

[@edstraker8451]

It's refreshing to hear a non-indonesian/Malay pronunce orangutan correctly. 👍

[@ALintBunny]

If you clean and dry the casing, you can later boil water and add it in. Then add it to flour and it will make the dough become stretchy. It's how my parents make buñuelos. My dad has stretched one little ball out as wide as a large pizza

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Wow that's so cool! Thanks for sharing

[@DisgustingJustinAD]

I'm not sure if my local climate may be too cold to grow Tomatillo plants outdoors, but I have been setting up portable greenhouses in my home. So far I have managed to grow 4 different varieties of nightshade plants that produce lots of tiny sweet berries.

[@nbaprogamer2130]

Glad to see you’re finally growing these. Theres a whole patch of tomatillos in my garden that grow naturally just watering the soil every year. It’s so easy and amazing.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

So cool!

[@kamlendubala9698]

love from india.. love your every vedios.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks so much :)

[@Debra-v4l]

Look great, going to try in my food forest!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Cool good luck!

[@אליעדמקדש-מ4פ]

Thank you so much! You are my biggest gardening inspiration!!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

You're welcome! :)

[@MikeReevesMcMillan]

I grew these last year (the same ones from Kings Seeds) in a big bucket. Weirdly, they gave me vivid dreams. Planning to plant again this year.

[@arieswildchild]

Another wonderful video! Thank you!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks, you're welcome! :D

[@patrickdemarcevol]

Great video as usual

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks!

[@linodambrosio1925]

Hi Kalem, I’m enjoying your videos a lot...very informative. I wish we can borrow you😁 I love your garden. I’ve been watching out for any videos from you about kiwi plants. Any reason why kiwis are not in your plant repertoire? Would be grateful if you have any pointers about them especially in pruning them. All the best, carolin

[@Adrian-oz1tm]

Must grow cherries. They are my favourite fruit

[@TheKiwiGrower]

I actually just planted a second tree! Fingers crossed they do well :)

[@plainly_kevin]

Help the planet 🙏

[@TheKiwiGrower]

🌏❤️

[@GerardoAlejandres-b6p]

I'm Mexican and we use tomatillos a lot in our salsas(red and green salsa). I have grown these before.

[@Smallurbangreens]

Thank you so much!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks for watching!

[@joannaolivas9082]

Hello, how often do you fertilize?

[@horriddeadsmell]

I like to roast the tomatillo in the oven for a salsa Verde

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Nice!

[@tamas5931]

Nice video, good values

[@12herr]

Love your chanel. I am a 1st time small back yard gardner. I am growing all my veggiesin pots . I would love to grow tomatillos. Where can I buy some seeds? FYI I am in Auckland

[@gregnovak-sj3ng]

What was your timing? Keen to give them a go, but think I'm two months late for Auckland.

[@tory464]

💚👍nice!!

[@dvdpastor]

Great pick! It's a really good fruit, really... In March I was in Mexico and it's glorious to see that in the markets, and then try the salsas in the restaurants, or the markets themselves. Even if 'tomatillo' is understood, usually it's called just 'tomate' or 'tomate verde' (green tomato) in oposition to our known regular tomato that is named jitomate (the red one). I've used tomate verde grown in my own hometown (smaller), but also in Mexico and Guatemala (this time I didn't know what it was -decades ago- and made a regular guacamole using tomate verde instead of red tomatoes... man, so good... but I ate about a kilo of it and the day after it had some... consequences) About the salsa verde, just a comment, don't let the tomate verde boil for so long. The moment they start changing colour to a yellowish hue (in hot water, not even simmering), turn off the heat and it's done. A different way of making salsa verde is 'toasting' (tatemar in Mexican Spanish) the vegetables in a very hot pan (comal) or bbq; and when everything (onion, garlic, jalapeños, serrano chilies, tomates verdes' skins are 'burnt', remove and blend... it's really tasty with those smoky aromas (just add lime juice, fresh cilantro and salt... or be creative with some cumin and oregano) And salsa verde with any kind of cheese, corn tortillas, raw onion, cilantro and whatever else (probably you have an excess of zucchini, squash... name it... preferably grilled after being marinated with some achiote+orange juice and spices.. cochinita style.) would be great. You have tonnes of produce and lots of ressources to find out! Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Last week I was in Italy and the markets are gorgeous as well... I saw a lot of veggies and seeds I really thought you could be growing... Sky's the limit, but time and land seem to be an obstacle! Best!

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Oh yummm! Definitely will try the guacamole, sounds great. And thanks for the other tips too :)

[@dvdpastor]

@@TheKiwiGrower You have those cooking skills for inventing stuff, and lots of weird produce to experiment... just try and amaze us! ;)

[@dan-k7d]

Ok this confirms my seedlings stalled in the shock cold wet -> 34C we've had in Qld. A month since germination and they're still 3cm tall. Hopefully they recover but might start some new ones.

[@fishinhard3399]

Off topic a bit but I noticed you grow your blueberries in the ground. Do you have any trouble with them growing due to requiring acidity? I really want to try growing in ground but everyone says you can’t but your blueberries seem to be growing well so was wondering if it is possible.

[@BlackFlameMN]

would it be possible to wash the sticky layer off the tomatillos and save it to spray other plants as an insect repellent?

[@drrahilakurdi5943]

I like your video ❤❤❤ from Pakistan

[@brucemckay8379]

Here is a challenge for you: Show us how to grow Anaheim green chilies and to prepare these roasted and peeled. In the USA these are canned and sold under the brand name, "Ortega". I should send you some of my recipes.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Those sound cool!

[@the_vvatch]

Your cat is so cute :3 Are they a mouser cat?

[@Richard-m9k]

@TheKiwiGrower am I able to buy seeds from you?

[@GreenJustin8]

Vegan tacos! Thata boy! :)

[@TheKiwiGrower]

🌱💪

[@johnpauling3806]

What area of NZ do you live and what soil type do you have. Cheers

[@shmulikbachar5593]

Where did you buy the seeds from?

[@SheriKeenan]

Can you give some exsodic fruits like baobab or bread fruit or a rare one candle stick fruit.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

I'm always on the look out to try different fruits so will see what I come across :). Might have to do some overseas trips!

[@SheriKeenan]

@@TheKiwiGrower if you do video your trip and visit a local forest you will be surprised on the animals you can find when looking for fruits in them but probably safe to go to a stall or store if you unsure if wild fruits arent your thing. In Florida they have a red custard apple that tast just like strawberry cheesecake if over seas is to ah $$$$ you know 😂

[@TheKiwiGrower]

@@SheriKeenan Haha that sounds great - though Florida is still overseas for me! I live in New Zealand so a long way from most places 😅

[@JessieNihilist]

Love kitty! ❤️🖤

[@henryisnotafraid]

Consider giving your tomatillos a flame broil before you add it to the water. Adds a smokey flavor

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Will have to try that way too, thanks. I decided to go with this method this time for the more fresh zingy profile which I like. But smokey sounds nice too!

[@henryisnotafraid]

@@TheKiwiGrower I figure since you grew so many maybe you were up to some recipe suggestion or ideas

[@TheKiwiGrower]

@@henryisnotafraid For sure! thanks :)

[@paulo6456]

What you call gooseberry are really physallis

[@beatrizsalisbury2024]

Tomatillo lover? Please share your experiences with us. FB group growing tomatillos in the UK. Tks for this video..

[@josephbendas2219]

What ever happened to The Miracle Berrys you started? Didn't they make it.

[@TheoCollett]

hey bro, love your videos kia kaha

[@TheKiwiGrower]

Thanks bro!

[@Jagermonsta]

aren't these the fruits needed for 'fried green tomatoes' ? i think i read something a while back about people mistakenly using actual green tomatoes

[@TheKiwiGrower]

You can also use green tomatoes, but yeah these would be nice fried! Less watery so they would hold together better

[@lybichtram]

❤❤❤❤

[@efdear1730]

Are you conscious how much you'r handsome?

[@hrithikmondal9328]

❤

[@justaguychillin1292]

i love you kalem...... but...... as a former border jumper myself i must say you did the salsa wrong, you need to put the chilis tomatillo and onion to roast, directly in the stove, a good way to know its working is if your house is full of spicy gases and making you cough till you puke. you def need to make it right. loved the vid tho.

[@TheKiwiGrower]

The way I did it is actually a very traditional way that is used in Mexico and gives a much fresher flavour than roasting the ingredients. Roasting is also another way it can be done and is another common way for sure though and is a great option too! :)

[@nantekneo]

😍😍🥰🥰

[@edisonbocboc]

🫶🥰🩷

[@Huebz]

Not me going "that coriander looks like cilantro" and then realizing that calling it cilantro is just a US thing....

[@TheKiwiGrower]

haha!

[@reecesanderson6696]

Nope you lost me at coriander

[@kristofp72]

I didn't like the taste of these

[@TheKiwiGrower]

On their own they're not the best, but used in different recipes they can really transform into something really nice. Maybe you've already tried that though?