What is tamarillo and how to use the fruits of the tomato tree in cooking

Origin and territory of cultivation

Homeland of Tamarillo – South America. It later spread to tropical North America. And in New Zealand, the cultivation of the plant has become massive. New Zealand farmers in the middle of the 20th century became the main suppliers of tamarillo to Europe and the United States. European gardeners became interested in the unusual fruit and began to cultivate it on their territory.

At the moment, tamarillo is grown in greenhouses throughout Europe, the United States and Russia. Despite this, the tomato remains exotic, as its cultivation requires special climatic conditions.

Video «Acquaintance with tamarillo»

From this video you will learn about the beneficial properties of the tomato tree, the intricacies of its selection and some recipes for cooking tamarillo.

Description of tamarillo

Tamarillo belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is an evergreen shrub and sometimes a tree. Under natural conditions, its height reaches 2–3 m.In greenhouses, it most often grows to 1–1.5 m. The leaves are large, shiny, oblong in shape. The trunk near the root may become woody. Plant lifespan with proper care – from 10 to 15 years old.

Ripe fruit shape and color

Ripe tamarillo berries are smooth, egg-shaped. Fruit length is 6–10 cm.They grow in clusters of 5–10 pieces. on each. The color of the peel is orange, red, yellow, sometimes purple.

The pulp is yellow, with dark pink veins. Thin black seeds are arranged in two semicircles.

Tamarillo species

There are three main types of tamarillo, which differ in the color of the ripe fruit.

1. Red is good for eating raw. This tomato has a soft skin and a red-yellow flesh. They are used to decorate exotic dishes. The taste is characterized as sour rather than sweet, with tart notes.
2. Orange – the largest of all representatives. The fruit is sweeter than red, has a sour taste with salty notes. The berries are fleshy, the seeds are small. Therefore, they are used in smoothies and cocktails.
3. Yellow is the sweetest kind. The fruits are small in size, they are also served in salads. They have the least sour-salty taste. In section, they resemble yellow tomatoes.

When choosing what kind of tamarillo to start growing, you need to focus on the purpose of the ripe fruits.

Calorie content and composition of the product

The calorie content of this vegetable is only 50 kcal per 100 g of product. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in food during a fruit and vegetable diet.

It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, as well as some useful substances - calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus.

The benefits of the fruit of the tomato tree

Due to the low calorie content, nutritionists recommend taking tamarillo cocktails and tomato juice. It saturates the body with nutrients and accelerates the breakdown of fats.

Tamarillo is advised to eat for headaches and migraines. It helps to saturate the body of children with calcium in case of rickets and low immunity.

After suffering infectious diseases, the fruit helps to strengthen the immune system and restore the lost strength to the body.

Growing a tomato tree at home

Before starting to grow tamarillo, you need to purchase seeds. They can be ordered online. It is better to do this through trusted sites so as not to face scammers. They are sown in mid-February, so the purchase should be done in advance.

Planting seedlings

After purchase, the seeds are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and soaked in cool water. Then they are planted in pots or bowls. The distance between the seeds should be at least 3 cm.After planting, they are covered with cling film and placed in a room with a stable temperature of 25–30 ° C. The first shoots will appear within 2–3 weeks.

Transplant to open ground

Seedlings are ready for transplanting into open ground only when their height reaches 60–80 cm. Most often they grow by June, when frosts are no longer expected. Choose a location that is well lit and protected from strong winds. Before planting, the land must be fertilized with mineral fertilizers and humus.

The distance between the bushes should be 80–100 cm. It is necessary to dig holes with a diameter of 30–40 cm and completely immerse the roots of the seedling in them. They need to be sprinkled with earth, leaving a small hole, and watered abundantly. It is better to install a special stick nearby to tie up a tomato tree.

Watering and fertilizing

When watering, you need to be guided by the weather. On hot summer days, you need to water the plants every 2–3 days. In the evening, after sunset, you can spray the leaves with cool water. In cool, cloudy weather, do not water them more than once a week. In the rain, tomato trees do not require watering until the soil is completely dry.

Tamarillo is fertilized with top dressing for tomatoes and nightshades. It is also recommended to add humus once a month. Several times per season, you can feed the trees with chicken droppings diluted with water. Do not exceed the amount of organic fertilizers, as this can lead to abundant crown growth with a decrease in the number of fruits.

Pruning

Pruning tomato trees should be done several times per season. Most often, using sharp garden shears or a knife, they get rid of the top.

The height of the tree should be 100–120 cm. After pruning, tamarillo begins to release new branches. Thus, it is possible to form a low tree with a developed crown. This makes it easier to care for and pick the fruit and makes the tree beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

The berries of the tomato tree in cooking

In modern cookbooks, tamarillo can increasingly be found in the list of ingredients. To prepare a dish with an exotic fruit, you need to choose the right fruit and process them before cooking.

Subtleties of choice

Tamarillo, depending on the type, is prepared both as a vegetable and as a fruit. In cocktails, smoothies, fruit salads, the yellow berries of the tomato tree are best suited. Raw reds will accentuate the taste of meat dishes, can be a part of sauce and seasonings. Fleshy oranges can be fried in a pan, added to soup, vegetable and meat stews, eaten with potatoes and risotto.

How tamarillo is eaten

When cooking, it must be borne in mind that tamarillo peel has an unpleasant taste. In order not to spoil the dish and get rid of the bitterness, it is necessary to place the berry in boiling water for 2–3 minutes and then gently peel off the hard skin.

After that, the peeled berries are cut into slices or rings and cooked according to the selected recipe.

Interesting recipes

Dishes made from tomato berries are considered difficult to prepare. They often contain rare and expensive ingredients. However, some meals can be easily prepared from the available ingredients.

Yellow tamarillos can be used to make a dessert. This requires 10 medium-sized berries, 500 ml of water, 200 g of sugar, juice from one lemon, yogurt or ice cream. The berries must be peeled. Then the syrup is prepared by combining sugar with water. Lemon juice is poured there and prepared berries are placed. Simmer 10–15 minutes. Serve with yogurt or ice cream.

Dark red berries are an ingredient in sweet and sour sauce. It can be served with chicken, pork, lamb. This recipe requires 8 berries, 200 ml of water, 300 ml of meat broth, sugar and 1 tsp. any spices. The berries are peeled, cut into cubes and boiled in sweetened water. After 5 minutes, remove the contents of the pan from the heat and grind in a blender. After that, broth and spices are added there, then boiled again for 10 minutes.

Tamarillo is an amazing side dish for fried and stewed meat. It works best with beef and pork, but can also be used with chicken, duck, turkey and lamb. Peeled berries are cut into halves, salt, pepper, spices are added and baked in the oven for 15–20 minutes.

The berries of the tomato tree make a delicious and satisfying snack. For cooking, you need 5 ripe fruits, peeled, 8–10 slices of ham, a glass of 10% cream or milk, and spices. The fruits, cut into halves, are generously sprinkled with spices and wrapped in pieces of ham. Place the rolls on a baking sheet, pour in cream and bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 ° C

Tamarillo fruit can be added to your favorite dishes by replacing tomatoes. This will give classic dishes a new exotic taste.

Storage

Purchased tomato fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for 7–10 days. It is better not to put them next to products that have a pungent smell. But after cutting, it is better to eat the fruits completely, as they dry out and lose their taste.

Tamarillo harm and contraindications

Low-calorie berries do not pose significant health risks. To refrain from their use is only for people with allergies to tomatoes and nightshades. People with diabetes also eat them with caution, since the fruits contain a certain amount of sugar.

Tamarillo, or tomato tree – an exotic fruit that more and more penetrates our lives. Gardeners in the south of Russia grow tomato trees in the open field, and in the middle lane – in greenhouses and hotbeds. It can be used to make delicious side dishes, soups, desserts and snacks. For a successful acquaintance with an overseas berry, you need to properly prepare tamarillo for cooking and choose its type.