When to Harvest TomatillosWhen to Harvest Tomatillos One of the best indications that your Tomatillos are getting ripe is when you see a few start to fall off the plant. Tomatillos will often fall off when ready, or if you touch them they'll detach easily off of the plant when ripe. When ripe, the green husks also will turn to a pale light brown color and be more papery, and the fruit inside starts to turn more yellow-lime green from the original green color. If it's a purple tomatillo, it will turn more pur...
Washing TomatillosTomatillos are delicious, easy to grow, and come wrapped in a husk that helps them store well after harvesting. However, you have to remove and then wash the Tomatillo's sticky residue before using in recipes. Here are our tips for washing tomatillos: Remove the husk by pulling it off, compost the husks. If the tomatillo is damaged, cut off damage if possible to use what looks good or compost it. Once the husk is removed, you will quickly find that tomatillos have sticky sap, which hel...
How to grow Tomatillos from SeedHow to grow Tomatillos from Seed Tomatillo seeds are surprisingly easy to start from seed! We simply sow the seeds directly into the ground or in large pots and keep them watered and moist until they sprout. They take off quite quickly, and it's good to thin out the extra seedlings. You can start them indoors, but starting them outdoors can be very successful, too, and requires no transplanting. The seedlings do seem to have some cold-hardiness when very young if started outdoors, but if...
Recipe for Spaghetti Verde – Pasta with Cilantro, Tomatillos, Jalapenos and Olive OilHere is a simple recipe for Spaghetti Verde, our version is pasta tossed with roasted tomatillos, jalapenos (or other spicy green peppers such as Hatch chiles) and cilantro. This is a pesto for those who like it spicy! Ingredients: 3-5+ Tomatillos, roasted and cooled 1-3+ Jalapenos, roasted and cooled (or use any green chiles for this recipe) 3+ Garlic Cloves, roasted 1 Bunch of cilantro 1/2 Cup Olive Oil Salt and pepper to taste Nuts - optional, add toasted No Shell Raw Pepitas, pine nuts...
Fresh Tomatillo Salsa Recipe (Salsa Verde)Fresh Tomatillo Salsa (Salsa Verde) with Chimayo Peppers Got lots of tomatillos? Mix up a batch of this Tomatillo salsa (also known as Salsa Verde) and it's sure to be a hit! With fresh Tomatillos, a couple fresh Chimayo chiles or Jalapeños or any hot pepper, plus 2-4 fresh garlic cloves, chopped onion, salt, pepper, fresh cilantro and cumin, this is a fresh salsa that you'll love. Tomatillos* (as many ripe ones as you can pick – a large bowl's worth or more) 1/2 Onion, diced ...
Green Chile Gazpacho with TomatillosYou have to try this delicious variation of gazpatcho, made with green chiles and tomatillos: 4-6 HATCH GREEN CHILES, ROASTED, PEELED 2 POUNDS TOMATILLOS – REMOVE HUSK & RINSE (or you can use Heirloom Tomatoes for a classic Tomato gazpatcho!) 1/2 ONION, FINELY CHOPPED, SOAK IN COLD WATER FOR 15 MINUTES 1 STALK CELERY 1 CUCUMBER 1 JALAPEÑO FRESH, SEEDED 1/3 CUP RED WINE VINEGAR 1/4 CUP EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 1/3 TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN 2 TABLESPOONS OF MAPLE SYRUP OR HONEY SA...
Tomatillo & Chile de Arbol Salsa RecipeSomething red and something green... makes a rich amber-colored salsa. A friend said they had a delicious "Brown Salsa" at a Mexican restaurant that they absolutely loved, and they asked what it could be made from. It was likely Tomatillos (or even purple tomatillos) and red chile de arbol, or some variation of it. See a recipe below. This combination of green and red ingredients creates a rich, thick, smoky brown or amber-toned salsa with a complex flavor profile. A Thicker Salsa: To...
Tomatillo Hot Sauce RecipeTry this amazing roasted Tomatillo hot sauce with green jalapenos. 😊💚🔥TOMATILLO HOT SAUCE RECIPE:6-12+ Tomatillos (Green or Purple)4-6+ Green Jalapenos (we used unripe Orange Jalapenos but you can use any green hot pepper!)4+ Cloves of Garlic (or use green Garlic Chives)Handful of Cilantro, stems and leaves (optional)Vinegar to taste/consistencySalt & Pepper to tasteCut tomatillos and jalapenos in half and roast in a cast iron pan or on the grill to blister the skins a bit, let cool in gl...
Green Chile Pozole RecipePozole is a traditional, hearty Mexican stew made with hominy (large, dried corn kernels) and meat or veggies, typically it is made with pork or chicken but we make it vegetarian with potatoes/sweet potatoes/squash or other veggies, all cooked in a flavorful broth. It comes in three main varieties—blanco (white), verde (green), and rojo (red)—depending on the sauce base, and is served with a variety of fresh toppings like shredded cabbage, jalapeños, radish, onion, and lime. Try our Green Chi...
Green Hot Sauce RecipesGreen hot sauce is a favorite among hot sauce connoisseurs. Green hot sauces are not always super hot (though they can be), and instead focus on the balance of spice and bright, tangy, and fresh flavors. Green hot sauce usually includes green ingredients including green jalapenos, serranos, fish peppers, green chiles, unripe green habaneros that are often combined with lime, cilantro, garlic, garlic chives, green onions, green or yellow tomatoes and tomatillos. Simple Green Hot Sauce Recipe:...
Hot Sauce GardenGrow your own Hot Sauce Garden One of the reasons many gardeners grow hot peppers is to make their own hot sauces and salsas. Once you start growing peppers, you'll discover the full range of complex flavor and different kinds of heat peppers of the world provide for your tastebuds. It's addictive, too, the more varieties of peppers you taste, the more you want to try! And the more heat you try, the more heat you crave! But you don't need to grow extra hot peppers to make hot sa...
Is it cheaper to grow your own herbs?Yes, it's cheaper to grow many of your own herbs! Growing your own herbs almost always pays off in the long run. Sure, there is an initial investment in seeds or starts, soil, and containers, but the savings quickly add up, especially for frequently used varieties like basil, cilantro, and mint. A single packet of seeds can produce months of fresh herbs for the cost of just a few store-bought bunches, minimizing waste and ensuring a steady, organic supply right at home. And, many herbs ar...
Best Seed CatalogDiscover the Best Seed Catalog! Grow Peppers of the World with Sandia Seed! Our Sandia Seed catalog is widely considered one of the best seed catalogs for pepper lovers and Southwestern-style gardens, especially if the gardener enjoys chiles, hot peppers, and New Mexico–style vegetables. It stands out for its beautiful design, huge pepper selection, and practical growing info, making it both a useful tool and a fun gift. View our full online seed catalog to see every seed featured in our prin...
Heat Loving Vegetables - grow from seed!This year was an exceptionally hot season for growing fruit and vegetables in Colorado. Some veggies thrived, while others struggled. Larger tomatoes had a hard time setting fruit when we had nearly two months of 95˚ F + temperatures straight. So while they are finally starting to come in now, during the heat of the summer many were dropping blossoms or if they had fruit a lot of it was getting blossom end rot, most likely from inconsistent soil moisture due to the super dry heat. There ar...
Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian)Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian) This delicious chili is the perfect meal in itself or used for smothering! Ingredients 1 white onion, diced4 cloves garlic, minced4 potatoes, diced (optional)6 c. vegetable broth (or water)2 Cups diced New Mexico Green Chile, Hatch green chile or Pueblo Chile*1-2 cans or cups of cooked pinto beans, rinsed & drained (optional)1 tbsp. cumin1 tbsp. red chile powder1/8 tsp. black pepper~ 1/2 tsp. salt (to taste, more if not using stock) Instructions In a st...
Green Chile Casserole RecipeThis is a simple recipe that's easy to make for brunch, lunch or dinner! In a cast iron pan, sauté around 1 cup of chopped onions and 3-4 cloves of garlic, then add 1 can or cup of drained pinto beans and 1-1.5 cups of diced green chile, dash of cumin and salt and pepper and stir mixture, let cook down for 10-15 minutes. Preheat oven to 375˚ F. After 10-15 minutes, remove pan from heat. Whip 3-4 eggs and pour over the top of the mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese, diced onion, sl...
Freeze Peppers!What is the best way to freeze peppers? At the end of the season, sometimes you have a ton of peppers but not much time to make salsa or use them in recipes. An easy way to preserve them is to pop them whole into the freezer for later use! Make sure to freeze them within a day of harvesting so they are as fresh as possible with no chance of mold growing inside. Can you freeze peppers whole?You sure can! First, wash and dry your fresh hot peppers or sweet peppers, making sure to remove any ...
Best Vegetable Seed CatalogLooking for the best vegetable seed catalog?Look no further, if you want to add a great new vegetable seed catalog to your collection, make sure to order one of Sandia Seed's 2025 Seed Catalogs – these full color catalogs are packed with 101 peppers of the world, plus tons of vegetable seeds including easy to grow heirloom tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, herbs, edible flowers and so much more. This is the perfect vegetable seed catalog for salsa lovers – grow a salsa garden with several va...
Freeze Warning? Here's what to do in your GardenTonight they are predicting a freeze here in the West, here is what we recommend to harvest before your first frost: Pick any sensitive veggies like basil, tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, etc. Kale, and many Herbs like Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Green onions and Dill will be fine for a few light frosts. Pumpkins and squash sometimes won’t be damaged by a light frost, but the leaves will. Harvest winter squash like pumpkins before temperatures drop below 20°F, which can damage the fruit itsel...
How to Start a Seed LibrarySharing seeds is one of the best ways for communities to share the love of gardening and growing food! Here are our top tips for starting a seed library in your community: Step 1: Find a community space for the Seed Library A well-visited community space is your best bet! Choose a venue that is free and open to the general public such as a local public library or community center.Some people are starting to create outdoor "Little Free Seed Libraries" alongside the book versions ...
When to Harvest Tomatillos
When to Harvest Tomatillos One of the best indications that your Tomatillos are getting ripe is when you see a few start to fall off the plant. Tomatillos will often fall off when ready, or if you touch them they'll detach easily off of the plant when ripe. When ripe, the green husks also will turn to a pale light brown color and be more papery, and the fruit inside starts to turn more yellow-lime green from the original green color. If it's a purple tomatillo, it will turn more pur...
Washing Tomatillos
Tomatillos are delicious, easy to grow, and come wrapped in a husk that helps them store well after harvesting. However, you have to remove and then wash the Tomatillo's sticky residue before using in recipes. Here are our tips for washing tomatillos: Remove the husk by pulling it off, compost the husks. If the tomatillo is damaged, cut off damage if possible to use what looks good or compost it. Once the husk is removed, you will quickly find that tomatillos have sticky sap, which hel...
How to grow Tomatillos from Seed
How to grow Tomatillos from Seed Tomatillo seeds are surprisingly easy to start from seed! We simply sow the seeds directly into the ground or in large pots and keep them watered and moist until they sprout. They take off quite quickly, and it's good to thin out the extra seedlings. You can start them indoors, but starting them outdoors can be very successful, too, and requires no transplanting. The seedlings do seem to have some cold-hardiness when very young if started outdoors, but if...
Recipe for Spaghetti Verde – Pasta with Cilantro, Tomatillos, Jalapenos and Olive Oil
Here is a simple recipe for Spaghetti Verde, our version is pasta tossed with roasted tomatillos, jalapenos (or other spicy green peppers such as Hatch chiles) and cilantro. This is a pesto for those who like it spicy! Ingredients: 3-5+ Tomatillos, roasted and cooled 1-3+ Jalapenos, roasted and cooled (or use any green chiles for this recipe) 3+ Garlic Cloves, roasted 1 Bunch of cilantro 1/2 Cup Olive Oil Salt and pepper to taste Nuts - optional, add toasted No Shell Raw Pepitas, pine nuts...
Fresh Tomatillo Salsa Recipe (Salsa Verde)
Fresh Tomatillo Salsa (Salsa Verde) with Chimayo Peppers Got lots of tomatillos? Mix up a batch of this Tomatillo salsa (also known as Salsa Verde) and it's sure to be a hit! With fresh Tomatillos, a couple fresh Chimayo chiles or Jalapeños or any hot pepper, plus 2-4 fresh garlic cloves, chopped onion, salt, pepper, fresh cilantro and cumin, this is a fresh salsa that you'll love. Tomatillos* (as many ripe ones as you can pick – a large bowl's worth or more) 1/2 Onion, diced ...
Green Chile Gazpacho with Tomatillos
You have to try this delicious variation of gazpatcho, made with green chiles and tomatillos: 4-6 HATCH GREEN CHILES, ROASTED, PEELED 2 POUNDS TOMATILLOS – REMOVE HUSK & RINSE (or you can use Heirloom Tomatoes for a classic Tomato gazpatcho!) 1/2 ONION, FINELY CHOPPED, SOAK IN COLD WATER FOR 15 MINUTES 1 STALK CELERY 1 CUCUMBER 1 JALAPEÑO FRESH, SEEDED 1/3 CUP RED WINE VINEGAR 1/4 CUP EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 1/3 TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN 2 TABLESPOONS OF MAPLE SYRUP OR HONEY SA...
Tomatillo & Chile de Arbol Salsa Recipe
Something red and something green... makes a rich amber-colored salsa. A friend said they had a delicious "Brown Salsa" at a Mexican restaurant that they absolutely loved, and they asked what it could be made from. It was likely Tomatillos (or even purple tomatillos) and red chile de arbol, or some variation of it. See a recipe below. This combination of green and red ingredients creates a rich, thick, smoky brown or amber-toned salsa with a complex flavor profile. A Thicker Salsa: To...
Tomatillo Hot Sauce Recipe
Try this amazing roasted Tomatillo hot sauce with green jalapenos. 😊💚🔥TOMATILLO HOT SAUCE RECIPE:6-12+ Tomatillos (Green or Purple)4-6+ Green Jalapenos (we used unripe Orange Jalapenos but you can use any green hot pepper!)4+ Cloves of Garlic (or use green Garlic Chives)Handful of Cilantro, stems and leaves (optional)Vinegar to taste/consistencySalt & Pepper to tasteCut tomatillos and jalapenos in half and roast in a cast iron pan or on the grill to blister the skins a bit, let cool in gl...
Green Chile Pozole Recipe
Pozole is a traditional, hearty Mexican stew made with hominy (large, dried corn kernels) and meat or veggies, typically it is made with pork or chicken but we make it vegetarian with potatoes/sweet potatoes/squash or other veggies, all cooked in a flavorful broth. It comes in three main varieties—blanco (white), verde (green), and rojo (red)—depending on the sauce base, and is served with a variety of fresh toppings like shredded cabbage, jalapeños, radish, onion, and lime. Try our Green Chi...
Green Hot Sauce Recipes
Green hot sauce is a favorite among hot sauce connoisseurs. Green hot sauces are not always super hot (though they can be), and instead focus on the balance of spice and bright, tangy, and fresh flavors. Green hot sauce usually includes green ingredients including green jalapenos, serranos, fish peppers, green chiles, unripe green habaneros that are often combined with lime, cilantro, garlic, garlic chives, green onions, green or yellow tomatoes and tomatillos. Simple Green Hot Sauce Recipe:...
Hot Sauce Garden
Grow your own Hot Sauce Garden One of the reasons many gardeners grow hot peppers is to make their own hot sauces and salsas. Once you start growing peppers, you'll discover the full range of complex flavor and different kinds of heat peppers of the world provide for your tastebuds. It's addictive, too, the more varieties of peppers you taste, the more you want to try! And the more heat you try, the more heat you crave! But you don't need to grow extra hot peppers to make hot sa...
Is it cheaper to grow your own herbs?
Yes, it's cheaper to grow many of your own herbs! Growing your own herbs almost always pays off in the long run. Sure, there is an initial investment in seeds or starts, soil, and containers, but the savings quickly add up, especially for frequently used varieties like basil, cilantro, and mint. A single packet of seeds can produce months of fresh herbs for the cost of just a few store-bought bunches, minimizing waste and ensuring a steady, organic supply right at home. And, many herbs ar...
Best Seed Catalog
Discover the Best Seed Catalog! Grow Peppers of the World with Sandia Seed! Our Sandia Seed catalog is widely considered one of the best seed catalogs for pepper lovers and Southwestern-style gardens, especially if the gardener enjoys chiles, hot peppers, and New Mexico–style vegetables. It stands out for its beautiful design, huge pepper selection, and practical growing info, making it both a useful tool and a fun gift. View our full online seed catalog to see every seed featured in our prin...
Heat Loving Vegetables - grow from seed!
This year was an exceptionally hot season for growing fruit and vegetables in Colorado. Some veggies thrived, while others struggled. Larger tomatoes had a hard time setting fruit when we had nearly two months of 95˚ F + temperatures straight. So while they are finally starting to come in now, during the heat of the summer many were dropping blossoms or if they had fruit a lot of it was getting blossom end rot, most likely from inconsistent soil moisture due to the super dry heat. There ar...
Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian)
Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian) This delicious chili is the perfect meal in itself or used for smothering! Ingredients 1 white onion, diced4 cloves garlic, minced4 potatoes, diced (optional)6 c. vegetable broth (or water)2 Cups diced New Mexico Green Chile, Hatch green chile or Pueblo Chile*1-2 cans or cups of cooked pinto beans, rinsed & drained (optional)1 tbsp. cumin1 tbsp. red chile powder1/8 tsp. black pepper~ 1/2 tsp. salt (to taste, more if not using stock) Instructions In a st...
Green Chile Casserole Recipe
This is a simple recipe that's easy to make for brunch, lunch or dinner! In a cast iron pan, sauté around 1 cup of chopped onions and 3-4 cloves of garlic, then add 1 can or cup of drained pinto beans and 1-1.5 cups of diced green chile, dash of cumin and salt and pepper and stir mixture, let cook down for 10-15 minutes. Preheat oven to 375˚ F. After 10-15 minutes, remove pan from heat. Whip 3-4 eggs and pour over the top of the mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese, diced onion, sl...
Freeze Peppers!
What is the best way to freeze peppers? At the end of the season, sometimes you have a ton of peppers but not much time to make salsa or use them in recipes. An easy way to preserve them is to pop them whole into the freezer for later use! Make sure to freeze them within a day of harvesting so they are as fresh as possible with no chance of mold growing inside. Can you freeze peppers whole?You sure can! First, wash and dry your fresh hot peppers or sweet peppers, making sure to remove any ...
Best Vegetable Seed Catalog
Looking for the best vegetable seed catalog?Look no further, if you want to add a great new vegetable seed catalog to your collection, make sure to order one of Sandia Seed's 2025 Seed Catalogs – these full color catalogs are packed with 101 peppers of the world, plus tons of vegetable seeds including easy to grow heirloom tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, herbs, edible flowers and so much more. This is the perfect vegetable seed catalog for salsa lovers – grow a salsa garden with several va...
Freeze Warning? Here's what to do in your Garden
Tonight they are predicting a freeze here in the West, here is what we recommend to harvest before your first frost: Pick any sensitive veggies like basil, tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, etc. Kale, and many Herbs like Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Green onions and Dill will be fine for a few light frosts. Pumpkins and squash sometimes won’t be damaged by a light frost, but the leaves will. Harvest winter squash like pumpkins before temperatures drop below 20°F, which can damage the fruit itsel...
How to Start a Seed Library
Sharing seeds is one of the best ways for communities to share the love of gardening and growing food! Here are our top tips for starting a seed library in your community: Step 1: Find a community space for the Seed Library A well-visited community space is your best bet! Choose a venue that is free and open to the general public such as a local public library or community center.Some people are starting to create outdoor "Little Free Seed Libraries" alongside the book versions ...
