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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
Green Habanero Peppers - What to do with unripe HabanerosWondering what to do with unripe green habanero peppers?Yep, you can eat green habaneros! In fact, some people love them when they are green. Like with most peppers, Habaneros are still good when green! Full size but still not fully ripe green habaneros have a sharper spice and somewhat earthier/smokier/grassier flavor, and can be a little less hot – but don't worry they still pack a punch! Of course they have more fruity flavor when fully ripe, but sometimes you have to harvest them when...
Seeds to Plant in May - Direct SowingA summer squash above was direct seeded in mounds in May at a community garden in Denver. Squash is best direct sown as it doesn't like to have it's roots disturbed, so we generally plant it directly in the garden in May and June. Is May too late to direct sow seeds? Answer: Nope! May is a great time to direct sow many seeds in most growing regions in most of the Northern Hemisphere! May marks the transition from spring to summer in many regions, and the days are super long in M...
Jalapeno Salsa RecipeA classic, this Jalapeno Salsa Recipe is sure to please all salsa connoisseurs! Jalapeno Salsa Recipe 2-3 cups of chopped Fresh Tomatoes(or a jar or large 28oz can of preserved tomatoes)1 Bunch of fresh Cilantro leaves(use as much as you'd like)1-3+ Jalapenos - any varietyNote: You can also use any fresh or dried hot peppers for this recipe (Santa Fe Grande Peppers, Cayenne Peppers, Habanero Peppers, Thai Hot Peppers, Red Cherry Hot Peppers, Ghost Peppers, you name it!1/2 Onion, Dic...
Vegetable Container GardeningVegetable Container Gardening:The best seeds to grow Even if you don't have a lot of space, vegetable container gardening is possible so you can have your own homegrown veggies and herbs. Starting Seeds for Vegetable Container Gardens: You can start many seeds in a sunny window, or get some inexpensive led or flourescent grow lights and start seeds under the lights to get them growing strong for transplanting into their final containers or pots come spring. The cost of starting your cont...
Hatch Chile Salsa RecipeIf you grow our Hatch Chile seeds, then you probably know you use Hatch chiles in pretty much any recipe for great flavor and heat. Here's a twist on one of our favorite salsa recipes, using hot hatch chiles for the heat and flavor, and heirloom tomatoes for an amazing salsa. Hatch Chile Salsa Recipe Ingredients: 4 Cups of Diced Fresh Tomatoes (5-10 Heirloom Tomatoes) ~ or ~ 1 large can of whole tomatoes 1/2 Cup of Hatch Chile, roasted, deseeded & diced (use any heat desired, we lik...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
Green Habanero Peppers - What to do with unripe Habaneros
Wondering what to do with unripe green habanero peppers?Yep, you can eat green habaneros! In fact, some people love them when they are green. Like with most peppers, Habaneros are still good when green! Full size but still not fully ripe green habaneros have a sharper spice and somewhat earthier/smokier/grassier flavor, and can be a little less hot – but don't worry they still pack a punch! Of course they have more fruity flavor when fully ripe, but sometimes you have to harvest them when...
Seeds to Plant in May - Direct Sowing
A summer squash above was direct seeded in mounds in May at a community garden in Denver. Squash is best direct sown as it doesn't like to have it's roots disturbed, so we generally plant it directly in the garden in May and June. Is May too late to direct sow seeds? Answer: Nope! May is a great time to direct sow many seeds in most growing regions in most of the Northern Hemisphere! May marks the transition from spring to summer in many regions, and the days are super long in M...
Jalapeno Salsa Recipe
A classic, this Jalapeno Salsa Recipe is sure to please all salsa connoisseurs! Jalapeno Salsa Recipe 2-3 cups of chopped Fresh Tomatoes(or a jar or large 28oz can of preserved tomatoes)1 Bunch of fresh Cilantro leaves(use as much as you'd like)1-3+ Jalapenos - any varietyNote: You can also use any fresh or dried hot peppers for this recipe (Santa Fe Grande Peppers, Cayenne Peppers, Habanero Peppers, Thai Hot Peppers, Red Cherry Hot Peppers, Ghost Peppers, you name it!1/2 Onion, Dic...
Vegetable Container Gardening
Vegetable Container Gardening:The best seeds to grow Even if you don't have a lot of space, vegetable container gardening is possible so you can have your own homegrown veggies and herbs. Starting Seeds for Vegetable Container Gardens: You can start many seeds in a sunny window, or get some inexpensive led or flourescent grow lights and start seeds under the lights to get them growing strong for transplanting into their final containers or pots come spring. The cost of starting your cont...
Hatch Chile Salsa Recipe
If you grow our Hatch Chile seeds, then you probably know you use Hatch chiles in pretty much any recipe for great flavor and heat. Here's a twist on one of our favorite salsa recipes, using hot hatch chiles for the heat and flavor, and heirloom tomatoes for an amazing salsa. Hatch Chile Salsa Recipe Ingredients: 4 Cups of Diced Fresh Tomatoes (5-10 Heirloom Tomatoes) ~ or ~ 1 large can of whole tomatoes 1/2 Cup of Hatch Chile, roasted, deseeded & diced (use any heat desired, we lik...
