I forgot to post the link in the CSA emails- but here’s the heads up on Husk Cherries:
From what I know, they’re also called ground cherries and are grown in rural areas in many areas of the united states. They actually grow wild in many places too.
The look of the fruit is reminiscent of a tomatillo- but the taste is nothing like it. It is actually a relative of the tomato, so the texture is almost exactly like a small cherry tomato. The plant is like a tomato plant but it vines out a little farther, spreading across the earth. When the plump little husks are ready they drop to the ground- hence the name “ground cherry”.
They’re great eaten raw, when the husk is dark and the berry is dark yellow, and some people taste a hint of pineapple or something tropical. They can also be made into a pie (which is a country favorite). Or the berry can be husked and made into a syrup that’s nice on ice cream. Use about one part sugar to two parts water and a little lemon juice (everything to taste) and just simmer until they’re tender. Enjoy!
