Gardening 101: Cape Gooseberry - Gardenista

Cape Gooseberry, Physalis peruviana

The primary time I encountered and tasted a cape gooseberry was on the Sonoma backyard of Peter and Louise Hassen (a multidisciplinary artist and the founding father of Sonoma Apothecary, respectively). Considering at first that Lousie was handing me a tomatillo, I virtually politely stated “No, thanks.” Fortunately I didn’t. I peeled away the brown husk, bit into the orange orb, and was pleasantly stunned. Instantly I questioned the place this edible plant has been my complete life.

Please preserve studying to study extra about this underused edible.

Images by Marie Viljoen.

Above: The fruit is native to South Africa.

Native to Brazil, Cape gooseberry can also be known as floor cherry and goldenberry, amongst different names. Its frequent identify is definitely derived from South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, the place the fruit was very talked-about after rising there within the early nineteenth century. This explains why my pal Louise has it in her backyard. “I develop it as a result of it jogs my memory of my childhood in South Africa. They had been quite common there and the fruit was made right into a yummy jam,” she tells me.

This small 1- to 3-foot tall shrub is notable for its small orange fruit that’s roughly the identical measurement as a grape or a cherry tomato. Like its cousins the tomatillo and Chinese language lantern, the fruit is delicately wrapped in a skinny protecting papery husk. Peel this away and also you discover a tropical tasting orange shock. I discovered the flavour each candy and tart on the identical time, like in case you put a pineapple and a tomato in a blender. “I eat them once I’m gardening as a snack, and I prefer to put them on a dessert plate as an edible ornament,” shares Louise.

Above: A papery husk surrounds the fruit.

Thought of an annual the place frost happens and a perennial elsewhere, this fast-growing shrub is self-fruitful, however you’ll be able to assist the pollination half by evenly taping the stems behind the flowers. “Cape gooseberries reseed simply, however they take a very long time to mature and fruit. I normally don’t have a lot time earlier than the primary frost comes alongside,” says Louise. She provides that this 12 months she goes to try to discover a big nursery-grown begin in order that she will benefit from the fruits of her labor longer.

Cheat Sheet

Above: See Backyard to Desk: Cape Gooseberries for recipes utilizing the fruit.

Very adaptable to being grown in a big pot or container.
Add to your vegetable backyard or develop on a patio with different edibles.
Will be loved uncooked, in desserts or salads, or in jams, jellies or chutneys. Additionally, you’ll be able to strive them dried.
Remember, underripe gooseberries could also be poisonous. You’ll know the fruit is ripe when the stem holding the tan husk is brown.
If stored of their husk, cape gooseberries could be saved for a number of weeks.
Bees are frequent guests.

Preserve It Alive

Plant in full solar and in a heat however not blazing sizzling spot.
Shield from frost, or in case you reside under USDA 10, contemplate this plant like an annual.
A wee bit thirsty main as much as fruit ripening time.
Tolerates most kinds of soil and requires little to no fertilizer.
Will be weak to the identical pests and afflictions as tomatoes. Professional Tip: Rotate your crops yearly to stop build-up of illnesses that assault nightshade crops.
Self-pollinating and straightforward to propagate from seed.

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