Tamarillo

A few years ago many of us did not even imagine what fruit such – тамарилло and furthermore as eat тамарилло is. Today's day on shelves of supermarkets exotic fruit are on sale in wide assortment. Tamarillo is also not an exception.

Tamarillo – exotic fruit which till 1967 was called a tomato tree. Actually, fruit received the name only later as it was decided to be exported to other countries. The word "tamarillo" consists of two parts: "tama" and "рилло". In translation from language of the tribe of Maori "tama" means "leadership", and "рилло" - the termination giving to the word a certain Spanish color is simple.

There is one more version concerning a name origin according to which fruit received the name, thanks to the Spanish word "Amarillo", in transfer "yellow". It is considered that the first fruits which were seen by Europeans were yellow color. Anyway, fruit in many corners of the planet enjoys deserved popularity.

Externally тамарилло it is similar to tomatoes for this reason its long time was called a tomato tree. In length the fruit reaches 5-10 centimeters, and in width – 5 centimeters. Fruit has a smooth surface and in a form reminds egg. The plant more resembles a bush, than a tree superficially, and in height can reach 3-3,5 meters. Fruits тамарилло grow at clusters, and it is possible to find up to 12 fruits in each cluster. Mature fruits have various coloring – yellow, orange, red. Fruits can sometimes be even dark-lilac or violet color, with longitudinal soft strips of more dark shade. Color of pulp can also differ. Fruit meet orange, creamy-yellow, reddish pulp. In a core тамарилло there are seeds which in red fruits have usually black-brown or black color, and in fruits with light pulp seeds of yellowish color. In a form seeds тамарилло can be compared to seeds of tomatoes, is only a little larger by the size.

To our measures тамарилло is a vegetable rather, but in the homeland it belongs to the category of fruit. The next related plants тамарилло are tomatoes, eggplants, pepper and potatoes. Taste at тамарилло sweet-sour. Gourmets assure that to taste it can be compared to tomato and passion fruit.

How it is correct to choose тамарилло?

Before buying so exotic fruit, pay attention to the following features:

• Tamarillo has to have a uniform color, and the fruit stem has to adjoin to a fruit densely. No spots and defects should be.
• Try to press slightly fruit a finger. Ideally pulp has to cave in slightly, but at once get into condition.
• Pay attention to the producer. The best and qualitative grades grow in New Zealand. Besides, this country always cares for quality of the products and safety of the consumer.

Structure тамарилло and its caloric content

At structure тамарилло there is a vitamin A, RR, vitamins of group B (B1, B2, B6, B9), E and Page. There are such mineral substances as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron. The undoubted advantage of this fruit is total absence of sodium and cholesterol. Except, that, caloric content at тамарилло is low and makes 50 kcal on 100 g of a product.

Useful properties тамарилло

Long time тамарилло did not enjoy special popularity. Everything changed in the years of World War II when in many countries deficit of vegetables and fruit was observed, and people, therefore, suffered a shortage of vitamins and other useful substances. Then in New Zealand began to grow up in large quantities a tomato tree which, thanks to the rich structure, is capable to replace a set of useful products.

The main advantage тамарилло consists in removal of a headache at the system use. This fruit also is useful to recovery of an organism after diseases.

How eat тамарилло?

Tamarillo was widely adopted in cookery, generally thanks to the taste similar both on vegetable, and on fruit. Eat it fresh, but also it is possible to roast it with onions or to boil also a tax to meat. Slices roast and do with them sandwiches. Tamarillo is used as a stuffing for pizza, by lasagnas, pies, ragout and many other dishes. It is added to various salads, cold appetizers, marinades, soups, sauces, mayonnaise and puree. As fruit it is used for preparation of various desserts. With it cook ice cream, yogurt, mousse, jam, fruit jelly, juice.

How eat тамарилло fresh? Everything is very simple: before enjoying its unusual taste, it is necessary to peel fruit of a peel previously. The peel has quite unpleasant taste therefore at preparation тамарилло it is better to remove it not to spoil a dish. That it was easily rinded, fruit is lowered for several minutes in boiled water, and then by means of an acute knife husk. There is also other way as eat тамарилло. It is possible just to cut it on two parts and by means of a dessert spoon to take out its pulp.

It is also important to know that taste of fruit depends on color of pulp. For example, fruit with pulp of violet and red color best of all will be suitable for salads, garnishes and vegetable stews. They taste like tomato and slightly kislit. Orange and yellow тамарилло more sweet therefore will be suitable for preparation of desserts, fruit salads, jams and juice.