What is this plant?

My non english speaking neighbors planted what we thought were tomato plants. The foliage looks like tomato, but the fruit or seeds are like green balloon pods. About 2 inches round. We have not opened one to find out what is inside. These plants have spread like wildfire. Any ideas? I would ask the neighbor, but can't seem to communicate.

What is this plant?
Tomatillos.

Here are pics for comparison.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Here is a site that gives the history, uses, and a recipe for Salsa using tomatillos. Just thought you might find it interesting.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/tomatillos....



Quick spanish lesson. point to the plant and say. ?Que es esto? (What is this?)
Reply:sounds like tomatillos
Reply:are you sure they are not tomatoes?

tomatoes start out green and turn red later?

there is also a species of green tomatoes too.

can you give more information?

are these plants on your land?

what's the problem?

take one and open it up and look at it!!

take a smell too.

there are 2 types it might be: San Marzano or Juliet tomatoes

look them up to get a picture.
Reply:By the way that you have described this plant it sounds like a Chinese Lantern plant (Physalis Alkekengi) they look like tomato plants and oh! boy do they spread!!!!!!!!
Reply:sounds like peppers of some variety or other
Reply:Your description sounds like tomatillos. Open up one of the pods and you'll find what looks like a small green tomato.



There are several great recipes for them. They're not quite the same as a tomato, so they don't just substitute for them, but they're pretty interesting in their own way.
Reply:Maybe a tomatilla, they are have a green tomato- like inside a papery outside shell.and they taste alittle citrusy.
Reply:tomatillos, this is a green husk tomato that the Spanish love to eat they will not hurt you but you may not like the taste ether