Ground Cherries

	Cossack Pineapple CHERRIES, GROUND .06g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 47101 Price:$2.75 Quantity in Basket: none
(P. pruinosa): 60 days. The 1/2" diameter berries of 'Cossack Pineapple' have a delicious flavor reminiscent of pineapple. These bite-sized berries are so tasty that they may never make it into the kitchen, especially if you have children. They are excellent for preserves, hot dessert toppings, salads or mock pineapple yogurt. Plants are short (12 to 18") but with bushy spreading lateral branches which choke out weeds. Fruits ripen to a pineapple yellow. Pkt. (0.06 g)
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	Goldie CHERRIES, GROUND .06g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 47102 Price:$2.25 Quantity in Basket: none
(P. pruinosa): 75 days. 'Goldie' is a late variety with larger berries, averaging 3/4" in diameter. Use these sweet berries fresh in salads, pies, dessert toppings or preserves. Pkt. (0.06 g)
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CLASSIFICATION AND HISTORICAL NOTES: Husk tomatoes (including ground cherries) are distinguished from tomatoes by the light-brown, papery husk (calyx) which enlarges and covers the maturing berries. There are a number of cultivated species, the two most common are the ground cherry (Physalis pruinosa) and the tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa). Both have been cultivated in Central and South America for centuries, even before tomatoes. Ground cherries are so named because the cherry-sized berries are borne near the ground. The leaves of ground cherries are hairy or fuzzy and the plants grow 1 to 2' tall with lateral spreading growth. Ground cherries self-sow readily. Tomatillos are larger-fruited, typically 1 to 2" diameter and the plants grow 1 to 3' tall with smooth leaves. Some varieties may grow 8' or more with a ground-skinning growth habit. The Spanish name tomatillo is derived from the Indian name "tomatl". CULTURE: Culture of husk tomatoes is similar to tomatoes. (See Tomato section.) HARVEST: Husk tomatoes usually do not ripen fully until after falling from the plant. Ground cherries ripen from green to yellow-gold. Tomatillos ripen from green to yellow-green to pale yellow. FRUIT SET: Most cultivars of ground cherry set fruit in all areas of the U.S. Tomatillos are more sensitive to heat and day length: some cultivars may not set fruit until late summer, or may not set fruit in northern states. FLAVOR: The fruit of ground cherries and tomatillos vary considerably in flavor, color, size, firmness, ripening time, and keeping quality, depending on the cultivar. PREPARATION AND USES: Ground cherries are eaten out-of-hand, or are used in desserts, sauces, preserves, fruit toppings, pies and salads. Tomatillos are usually cooked to bring out full flavor: simmer for 5 to 10 minutes in a pot of water; then use in chili rellenos, salsa verde, guacamole, or other sauces or dips. SEED SAVERS: Isolate varieties by 150' for pure seed. PACKET: 0.06 to 0.1 g (90 to 140 seeds).