Tamarillo by maggiemae

Tamarillo

A relative of the potato, tomato, eggplant and capsicum pepper, the tree tomato is native to Central and South America. Listed among the lost foods of the Incas and known as the ‘tomate de arbol’, tree tomatoes have all but disappeared from their native habitat.

Tamarillos were first introduced into New Zealand from Asia in the late 1800’s. Originally only yellow and purple-fruited strains were produced. The red tamarillo was developed in the 1920’s by an Auckland nurseryman from seed from South America.

The commercial production of tamarillos began on a small scale in the 1930s. During World War II demand for tamarillos grew, as the supply of other fruits high in vitamin C was restricted. These fruits are high in Vit C and also expensive in the shops normally. I bought these on special as the skins were wrinkled but the insides are still delicious.

Three good things;
1. I cooked the mushrooms before they wrinkled up and ate them with creamed corn and bacon on toast.
2. One of my 365 friends went right back over my shots to find out when I first posted 3GT! Thanks Dixie@pandorasecho!
3. If you love so many things about your life, does that mean you are happy?
Awesome
July 2nd, 2013  
Neat processing! I love all the red.
July 2nd, 2013  
Love the processing.. They look so good.
July 2nd, 2013  
I have never heard or seen these before maggiemae....a very interesting fruit which I shall look out for! Will they be available in your summer...February? I think your no. 3 must be right or perhaps you can have lots of things & never be contented....contentment is the greatest thing you can have!
July 2nd, 2013  
Jo
What do they taste like? I have seen them in the shop but never bought one. Lovley red.
July 2nd, 2013  
Well, I am very familiar with these "tomate de arbol". I remember we had one in my house when I was growing up. And then I lived in Ecuador, where it's very popular. It can be used in so many recipes.
July 2nd, 2013  
Oh yum. I love tamarillos.
July 2nd, 2013  
Well I've definitely never seen these before but I think we could have tamarind paste? Fascinating stuff. The 3GT are supposed to make your life more positive - I think mostly they are a bit of fun but on a bad day it's good to rack your brains for good things I think.
July 2nd, 2013  
your choice of tray showcases your tamarillo's nicely MAggie
July 2nd, 2013  
Bep
They look so delicious. Wish I could find them somewhere.
July 2nd, 2013  
i love the effect at the edges of the tray - beautifully shot!
July 2nd, 2013  
Never seen these before - suspect they're not to be found on Scottish shores! Love the way the plate complements the tomatoes :-)
July 2nd, 2013  
@squaresparrow Thanks for mentioning that, Square Sparrow (never seen one of these before!). I specially chose that plate!
July 2nd, 2013  
@joluise the flavour is a bit like a raspberry and you eat the seeds too slightly tangy and softish - a unique flavour really!
July 3rd, 2013  
@judithg tamarind is different to the tamarillo, Judith. I quite like sitting and thinking at the end of the day about what is good about it!
July 3rd, 2013  
Your plate sets them off perfectly. Especially with the processing. Lovely yummy shot!
July 3rd, 2013  
I've never had one but they look yummy! Cool effect!
July 3rd, 2013  
Very cool shot
July 3rd, 2013  
Great information. They are very expensive over here. $2.00 each but I just had to have some with my Greek yogurt for dessert yesterday. Thought about photographing them but couldn't wait to eat them. Its been years since I had them and each time I have been home they have been out of season :)
July 3rd, 2013  
great commentary and presentation
July 3rd, 2013  
never seen or heard of them, but if i see them in the store i will try.
July 3rd, 2013  
oh yum they look awesome, i have a tree that had yellow ones growing on it but they dropped off in the frost :( I have others (red) growing under some trees that might do better this year
July 3rd, 2013  
Excellent choice of tray to display them in. I have never seen any of those here.
July 3rd, 2013  
Deb
The plate compliments the tamarillo nicely! I've not heard of these before and wonder if I can buy them in the U.S. Great shot :D
July 3rd, 2013  
They are very nice looking, and do they taste like tomatoes?
July 3rd, 2013  
@digitalrn The inside looks a bit like tomatoes but has a sweeter and more vibrant taste.
July 3rd, 2013  
@deburahiru I think they grow them in California as a 'rare fruit"!
July 3rd, 2013  
Deb
@maggiemae I'm going to look for them :D
July 3rd, 2013  
I've never heard of them before either, but they sound pretty tasty. You couldn't have featured them on a better plate. Great shot!

As for #3- if you love a lot of things in your life, you are more than happy, you're blessed.
July 3rd, 2013  
Lovely rich colours
July 3rd, 2013  
very nice food shot. nice zoom effect
July 3rd, 2013  
Amazing looking fruit, beautifully captured.
July 3rd, 2013  
Never seen these before. I like the way you have presented them framed by the pattern of the plate. love the composition and the colours.
July 3rd, 2013  
I have seen them before but necer tried them. Will have to seek them out when next on the big island. They look delicious btw.
July 3rd, 2013  
Yes, Maggie. It means that we are happy! And I wouldn't trade that for anything.
Nice shot. Very inviting. I am growing some ordinary tomatoes for a blt.
July 3rd, 2013  
@maggiemae I'm even more ignorant than I thought!
July 3rd, 2013  
Lovely capture. I have never had or even seen one of these before. Beautifully displayed.

Regarding your 3GT's--I think looking for the good and finding the good is a great way to stay positive and be happy. If you focus only on the negative you would be pretty miserable!!!!
July 3rd, 2013  
Answer to #3...yes! I would say so.
This picture is amazing! The richness of color and the way you placed the tree tomatoes on that decorative surface (tile?) was a great way to present them. They look HOT in this pic. But I see you say not though. Nice work on this shot!
July 3rd, 2013  
I agree. Yes to number 3 :) Nice composition. Cool colours.
July 3rd, 2013  
Never heard of them...the look great...and if you love so much of your life there is less reason NOT to be happy! But I think @happypat has some of it right....contentment...you can be happy and not be content...or, I suppose, you could be content to be unhappy!!
July 3rd, 2013  
Such a lovely shot :)
July 3rd, 2013  
you have so many friends on here because you are such a good friend on here.
love the colours in the photo and the info is super too.
thanks
July 3rd, 2013  
@glendq Thats very sweet of you to say that Glenda! And you are a friend too - I'm up to July now on your calendar - planes flying overhead for a July 1 celebration!
July 4th, 2013  
Thank you for sharing this information. I love how you process this photo. And yes your a happy person, it shows in your photos.
July 4th, 2013  
Wow what a wonderful shot! So vibrant - just love the way you have shown the Camarillo on that gorgeous plate! I have never seen these before or heard of them! I must see if I can find some. I love your 3 GT s - it's such a positive thing to do each day! Thank you for sharing them!
July 4th, 2013  
I have heard of these but never seen them. Your number 3 of 3GT is very thought provoking. I like how 3GT makes you focus on the positive, that has got to be a good thing
July 4th, 2013  
Marvelous photo, Maggie. I've made tamarillo salsa and it's delicious, but tamarillos are hard to find over here.
I love the 3GT section of people's posts. It does have a way of affirming the many good things in life.
July 4th, 2013  
They look delicious. The colour is fantastic.
July 4th, 2013  
Nice composition! Never eaten a tamarillo...
July 5th, 2013  
One of my favourite fruits!!!! And pregnancy craving funnily enough!
July 5th, 2013  
I've never heard of these - they look fabulous
July 6th, 2013  
Fine shot and a story behind it. I liked the part where you prepared and ate mushrooms. I must march to the kitchen now and taste mine in the fridge...
July 7th, 2013  
I have never heard of these so very interesting. Love the shot and the explanation - learned something new.
July 7th, 2013  
great looking fruit!
July 9th, 2013  
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