Tamarillos

 


Known as "tree tomatoes" when we were kids these also go by the Spanish sounding name of tamarillos. They are South American in origin and were brought to NZ decades ago when our DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) were seeking out edibles from around the world that could be turned into commercial crops here.

Kiwifruit? You know those? They were Chinese Gooseberries when they arrived on these shores.

Yams? Yeah well our yams aren't your yams...
You might call these oca if you call them anything at all.

And as for the tree tomatoes, I'm not sure anyone has yet commercialised these to the point of export. I saw them in a fruit shop in UK once in 30 years there and they were labelled simply "exotic fruit". No kidding!

They ripen here in late May and June. My brother, whose birthday is end of May, always requested them as birthday food. He still does. I'm living where I should be able to grow my own....here's hoping because I too prize these above all other "every day" fruits. In a world that can provide us with apples, bananas, oranges, even melons and pineapples all year round, it's nice to have the excitement and anticipation of waiting for something that is only available in it's season.

Comments

  1. Yamini MacLean29 June 2025 at 23:31

    Hari OM
    Oh yes, Oca (coming from the full name of Oxalis Tuberosa), sold as a vegetable in OZ and UK. It's supposedly easily grown here, but I guess the market for it is yet to burgeon. My local greengrocer down under grew his own - along with lots of other slightly different tubers and fruits... it was through him that I first tasted tamarillos! Golly, the promise of your future garden brings salivation! YAM xx

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  2. Linda Sue30 June 2025 at 04:30

    Those "fruits' look like they should be moved right out of town, tomatoes gone off, and plump red grubs., I reckon that your brother can have ALL of them. But if we did not know what celeriac was- or parsnip would we be inclined to eat them based on looks?

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    Replies
    1. Tigger's Mum30 June 2025 at 08:39

      Some people need other people to love their favorites - some sort of confirmation. I prefer that you hate them - all the more for me. This applies to persimmons, feijoas, avocado's, raspberries, tamarillos, perfectly ripened pineapples, pomegranates, and baked spuds with homemade garlic sauce and melted cheese . I grimace inwardly if I have to share.

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  3. northsider 30 June 2025 at 05:00

    You have far more exotic growing choices than we do. I grow more spuds and leeks and cabbages and lots of onions than anything else. Smashing photos.

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    1. Tigger's Mum30 June 2025 at 08:40

      Actually you could grow feijoas Dave - and they make great hedges. Hedges with benefits.

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  4. JayCee30 June 2025 at 07:24

    But it is exotic...to us!

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