9.13.2009

Tomatillo Soup



I love coming across new, interesting produce. Tomatillos, or husk cherries, have been on my radar for some time now. I was patiently waiting for their season to come, and was excited to see a row growing at my
CSA this year. Unlike many CSAs where boxes are delivered or available for pick up once a week, we are invited to go directly to the fields and pick some of the produce, such as beans or tomatoes. I have a love hate relationship with this. On one hand, it is satisfying to know I had a hand in harvesting. Yet, since it is an organic farm, no matter how much bug spray I spray myself with, it is inevitable that my arms and legs will be covered with bites when I arrive home.



This past week, when the blackboard directed us to the tomatillos, I could not contain my excitement. I guess I am a bit crazy, since the highlight of my week is tomatillos, but I have accepted my fate. I was planning this tangy, Mexican-inspired soup for months, so the last step was getting my hand on some fresh tomatillos. Hand-picked by me, this soup was even more special. And, oh yes, it was worth the bug bites.



Tomatillo Soup
serves 4

2 T olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 ears fresh corn, husked
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
10-15 medium tomatillos, husked and chopped
2 c water
juice of 2 limes
1 t honey or agave nectar
2 t salt
1 t cumin
1/2 c chopped cilantro
1 c cooked rice (I used basmati)
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into slices

In a large sauté pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, stirring, and sauté 5 minutes, until onion is translucent. With a serrated knife, cut kernels from the ears of corn, directly into pan. Stirring, add jalapenos and sauté 2 minutes. Add tomatillos, water, lime juice, honey, salt, cumin and cilantro. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in cooked rice, and simmer, 5 minutes. Season to taste. Remove from heat and ladle into soup bowls. Top with avocado slices.

Note: I also topped the soup with sliced wheat tortillas, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and broiled until golden brown. mmm.

14 comments:

Kalee said...

Yum, tomatillo soup! This sounds fantastic.

Stacy said...

Oh yum! We got tomatillos from a friend once and I made some salsa, but this soup sounds lovely. Perhaps I need to acquire some more!

Jennifer said...

I too love trying new produce too. Ive had tomatillos once in salsa. This soup sounds fabulous!!

melinda said...

i haven't made anything with tomatillos yet. it sounds perfect, i am on a soup kick lately.

Emily Naus said...

Oooo yum! This looks and sounds fabulous! I can't wait to make it!! :) I love your blog!

Sarah @ Two Blue Lemons said...

I too find tomatillos hopelessly cute. This soup looks delicious!

Dana said...

That soup sounds so wonderful! I love tomatillos but they are always so shriveled and sad at the grocery store. I was happy to see them at our farmers' market. I love the idea of your CSA. In our box this week we got dandelion greens, arugula, lettuce, cabbage etc etc. Everything "greens" and not a lot else. I'd love to be able to pick!!

jacqueline said...

This soup looks yummie..i wonder if i could get these tomatillo here at the local shops. Would it be ok to use normal tomatoes? Yes, and i want to add this recepe to my "long-growing" list of recepes from fresh365. hehe Oh and i have happy news...we are having a long weekend this coming weekend! Yep time for me to try out one or two recepes on the list! Yippeee...
Have a wonderful merry happy week and love to yoU!

eatme_delicious said...

I love that last photo! I've never cooked with tomatillos before.

The winged heart said...

oooh LOVE tomatillos, this looks awesome!
one question? Did you chop your tomatillos or blend them? (sorry if I missed something)

=)

The winged heart said...

or just leave them whole??

fresh365 said...

Oh goodness Rebekah, I left that part out! I am going to add in now that they are chopped. Thanks! maybe I should stop writing recipes late at night?!

AlliJean said...

Putting this on my list of things to make asap. Thank so much for focusing on seasonal produce!

Stacy said...

Our CSA share included tomatillos, so I finally got to make this soup! I was generous with the rice and it ended up a bit more like stew, but it was quite tasty. I think I only have 5 more of your recipes flagged to make soon....