2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
In recent years, exotic fruits are becoming increasingly popular in our country, and the desire to try new and unknown things take us to more and more distant parts of the world. Undoubtedly one of the most exotic is tamarillo.
Tamarillo, also known as tomato tree, which can be grown as a potted or garden tree, grows extremely fast. Tamarillo belongs to the Potato family and originates from the northern parts of South America.
The exact place of origin is not fully specified, but according to a number of experts, the homeland of the tomato tree may be Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile or the Andes in Peru. It is widely grown in Brazil, Colombia and Argentina.
Growing tamarillo
Tamarilo It is easily planted by cuttings, and its care is not so complicated, which makes it suitable for growing by novice gardeners.
The tree can grow outdoors or in a large pot, but can not withstand very low temperatures. The height of the tamarillo reaches 4 meters, but grown at home can be pruned up to 2 meters.
It is not pretentious to fertilizers and soils, but needs a well-draining environment, because too much moisture can kill it in a few hours.
Tamarilo propagated by cuttings and seeds, and interception is very successful. To speed up the germination of the seeds, they can be washed and dried, then put in the freezer for 1 day. Then planting in pots with soil and germination after 5-6 days.
The tamarind tree loves sunny and bright places, so it should be located in such places. A special fertilizer can be used for fertilizing, but tomato fertilizer would also work.
Tamarillo grows extremely fast - in just one year it reaches over 1 meter. It begins to bear fruit between 1.5 and 2 years after planting, and can be active for at least another 5-6 years. With proper care it is possible to bear fruit even 11-12 years.
Tamarilo in cooking
Tamarilo it is still not a very common fruit in our country, but it is gradually winning the hearts of sworn cooks. The well-ripened fruit has an edible soft core, an atypical taste and a red color. Although the tree is called a tomato, and the resemblance of the fruit to the tomato is extremely great, they have nothing in common.
There is one important feature in terms of consumption of tamarillo - When smelling the tree, an unpleasant odor is felt because the whole tree is toxic. However, the fruits are completely edible, but only if they have reached perfect maturity - when they are completely red.
The seeds of an underripe tamarind are bitter and can cause stomach problems. Green fruits can also act as a weak poison, so only red ones find a place in cooking.
Tamarillo does not have the characteristic taste of fruit - it can be sweet and juicy, but you can feel light smoky-salty notes, which do not always suit everyone's taste.
Tamarillo is often used in recipes for salads, appetizers and main dishes and can even be considered a worthy substitute for avocado. Tamarillo is not as oily as avocado, its core is much more watery. When cutting the fruit you will see small black seeds, but they are edible and cannot be removed.
Tamarilo can be consumed fresh, but it is possible to undergo heat treatment, it is added not only in salty but also in sweet recipes. If you want to consume the tamarind directly, just cut it in half and use a small spoon to carve the core.
It can be seasoned with both sugar and salt. Tamarillo can also be consumed in the form of juice - a drink that is traditional for the mountainous countries of South America.
Tamarillo can be easily baked, like other vegetables. Baking a tamarillo oven or a pan without any fat is a great and easy side dish to the main course.
Experienced chefs most often add it as a side dish to fish, and the bravest use it as a filling for various cakes. Do not risk frying the tamarind, because there is a real danger that the whole kitchen will be dirty. Baking remains the best and at the same time healthy way.
Benefits of tamarind
Tamarilo is a very useful fruit because it provides the body with large amounts of phosphorus, calcium and vitamin C. The fruit is rich in magnesium, potassium, B vitamins and antioxidants.
Consumption of tamarind helps to strengthen the bone and immune system, cleanses the body of accumulated toxins, helps the elasticity of the joints. However, like any other useful fruit, tamarind should not be overdone. It is believed that the daily portion should not exceed 150 g.
In 100 g of tamarind there are only 40 calories, little fat and fruit sugars, which makes it very suitable for consumption by people who follow a diet.
