2012 Plants - Other

TOMATILLOS
These "husk tomatoes" are close relatives to tomatoes. Use them in salsa, soup, or chili, or grill 'em for full flavor. We recommend that you grow several plants, as self-incompatibility has been shown with tomatillos. Needs more water than tomatoes:

New Mexico Native Tomatillo - RAFT Red List (Threatened), Ark of Taste
Physalis philadelphica. Round, 1". Yellow-green skin, with green paper-like husks. Sweet, complex, and acidic, with notes of cantaloupe, pineapple, citrus, vanilla...even Twinkies (one taster's opinion). More flavorful than either large or purple tomatillos. Many seeds, distinctively juicy. Sprawling, very prolific. Fruits are ripe when they fall from the plant. Early crop. Once wild-gathered and semi-cultivated by Navajos and several Pueblo Peoples, now confined to a single county in New Mexico. Endangered by drought, the decline of gathering traditions, commercial availability of a cultivated subspecies from California and Mexico, and genetic crossing with commercial varieties grown on New Mexican farms. Also called "Zuni Tomatillo." First offered by Aravaipa Heirlooms in 2010.

Purple Tomatillo
Physalis ixocarpa. A.k.a. Tomatillo Morado. Round, 1-1½". Purple and green skin (varies with exposure to the sun) and flesh. Skin is less sticky than green tomatillos, and fruit is sweeter. Mid season crop. Uncommon heirloom. According to a record in Seeds of Diversity's Heritage Plants Database, "purple husk tomatoes" were documented at least as early as 1937. Originally from Central America and Mexico, these are also called "miltomates," tomatoes from the milpa that grow anong the corn. First offered by Aravaipa Heirlooms in 2011.

EGGPLANT
One variety this year, a standout season after season:

Listada de Gandia
Solanum melongena. Oval, 5" to 8" long. White with lavender to purple stripes during cooler weather, and yellow with purple as the season heats up. Mild white flesh, thin skin that needn't be peeled prior to cooking. Small 14" plants, 80-90 days to maturity. Heavy yields, and thrives in hot weather! Sets well in high heat, and tolerates drought nicely. Sources disagree on the history of this plant. See Savers Exchange says that it was introduced into Southern circa 1850. Other Thrives in very hot weather. 80-90 days from transplant.” Reimer says 75 days. LocalHarvest: “This egg-shaped Italian beauty has 5 to 6in. long fruits, purple with irregular white-stripes." For a deeper analysis of its origins, go here. Regardless of its history, Listada de Gandia is widely esteemed as one of the most beautiful and tastiest varieties! First offered by Aravaipa Heirlooms in 2011.