Vegetables form an important part of our daily diet; the market is crammed with varieties of vegetables.
They are naturally good and contain lots of minerals and vitamins.
They help in protecting our body against cancers, diabetes and heart diseases.
Tomatillo is one of those vegetables that are essential for our health that is originated in Mexico and is a member of the nightshade family.
The tomatillo is often an underused fruit that provides numerous health benefits.
The scientific name is Pysalis philadelphica Lam, and its use dates back to the Aztecs.
Tomatillos are related to tomatoes, and, like tomatoes, they are primarily used as vegetables.
Tomatillos earn their diminutive name by their petite size that varies from that of a cherry tomato to one of a small tomato.
What makes them unique in appearance is their paper like cellulose husk covering that resembles the shape of a small green lantern that hangs downward from the bushy, annual plant on which it grows.
Inside the protective husk is a smooth, plump, firm variety of tomato that is usually picked green?
When fully ripened, they are actually yellow, but these are rarely brought to market. The husks turn a greenish brown when the fruit is losing its freshness.
It is a good source of Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Niacin, Potassium and Manganese. A 1-cup serving of tomatillos provides 354 mg, or 10 percent of the 3,500 mg cited as a U.S. Food and Drug Administration daily value.
Potassium is a major mineral in the body that supports the production of contractions in the heart, intestines and skeletal muscles.
Potassium also participates in the regulation of the amount of fluid in the bloodstream and the urinary tract, contributing to blood pressure health and toxin removal.
Tomatillos are low in calories. 100 g of berries provide just 32 calories. On a comparison basis, they contain slightly more calories, fat, and protein than tomatoes.
Because of their lemony flavour, they are the most preferred ingredients in Mexican dishes such as Salsa Cruda, a fresh salsa dish, as well as Salsa Verde, a cooked green sauce used in many Mexican dishes.
The antioxidants present in tomatillos might help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Raw tomatillos contain small amounts of vitamin A, a nutrient necessary for the health of your eyes and immune system.
Tomatillos can be bought at supermarkets and markets worldwide especially in Mexico where it is a part of their cuisine.