tomatillo
Americannoun
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tomatilloes,
plural
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tomatillos
plural
noun
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a solanaceous plant, Physalis ixocarpa , of South America
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Also called: green tomato. the greenish-purple fruit of this plant that is a staple in Mexican cuisine
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tomatillo
1910–15; < Spanish, diminutive of tomate tomato
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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It includes breakfast sandwiches with slight uplifts - one comes with avocado and tomatillo along with egg and sausage - desserts such as filled donut-like pastries called McPops, and snacks including pretzel bites.
From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2023
On the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and in the lush mountains, pozole is often green — seasoned with a salsa of roasted poblanos, spinach, cilantro and tomatillo.
From Salon ● Feb. 3, 2023
In Philadelphia, “Mexican pizza” swaps tomato sauce for a base of black bean purée or tomatillo, guajillo pepper or mole sauces.
From New York Times ● Nov. 16, 2022
To dip, three different salsas are included: a tomatillo salsa, a salsa fresco and a mild tomato puya salsa.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 4, 2022
With his lanky legs and webbed feet, he looked like a tomatillo with toothpicks jutting out of it.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
At Dallas' luxurious Routh Street Cafe, Chef Stephen Pyles offers the ultimate in cross-cultural fare: lobster enchiladas with red pepper creme fraiche and caviar, and fillet of salmon with ancho chili tomatilloes.
From Time Magazine Archive
And in the Santa Maria Valley, a diminutive 15-year-old girl struggles to load a large bucket with 20 pounds of tomatillos, earning $3 for each one she fills.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025
Nawab highlights the contrast between the “fiery serrano chiles” and ingredients like tomatillos, juxtaposed with the earthy flavors and rich texture of the nuts, which balance beautifully.
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2025
Canned tomatillos make the prep go quickly, but be sure to crush and drain them in a strainer over a bowl before using them.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 25, 2023
Among the burgers, my favorite remains La Hamburguesa, a patty accented with Oaxaca cheese, smoked tomatillos and a peanut salsa macha.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 28, 2022
Examples include melons, peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes and winter squash.
From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2022
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