tomatillo
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A small, edible, yellow to purple, tomato-like fruit enclosed in a papery, bladder-like husk. This is the primary meaning, referring to the fruit itself, which is a key ingredient in Mexican cuisine, especially for green sauces.
- The plant bearing this fruit. The term also refers to the annual plant species (Physalis philadelphica or Physalis ixocarpa) native to Mexico and the southern United States.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Fruit):
- The salsa verde recipe calls for six fresh tomatillos.
- You need to remove the husk before cooking the tomatillo.
- Noun (Plant):
- We are growing tomatillos in our garden this summer.
- The tomatillo is a member of the nightshade family, related to tomatoes.
Advanced Usage
- "Tomatillo salsa" or "salsa verde": A classic green sauce made primarily from boiled or roasted tomatillos, chili peppers, onions, and cilantro.
- The enchiladas were served with a tangy tomatillo salsa.
- "Husk tomato": An alternative common name for the tomatillo, highlighting its papery outer covering.
- At the market, they were labeled as husk tomatoes.
Variants and Related Words
- Ground cherry (Physalis spp.): A related plant producing similar, often sweeter, husked fruits. Note: While similar, "ground cherry" typically refers to different species (e.g., ) and is not a direct synonym for the common culinary tomatillo.
- Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana): Another edible husked fruit in the same genus, but distinct in flavor and common use.
Synonyms
- Husk tomato: The most direct synonym.
- Mexican husk tomato: Specifies the common culinary variety.
- Jamberry (less common).
Related Phrases/Idioms
(This word does not commonly feature in idiomatic expressions. Its usage is primarily literal, pertaining to the fruit or plant.)
Noun
- small edible yellow to purple tomato-like fruit enclosed in a bladderlike husk
- annual of Mexico and southern United States having edible purplish viscid fruit resembling small tomatoes
- Mexican annual naturalized in eastern North America having yellow to purple edible fruit resembling small tomatoes