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Cape Gooseberry Tart






When I got back to New Zealand, in October, I noticed that the tomatillo had self-seeded in the veggie garden. I thought "good!" and left it there. At first there were just a few little plants, then they took over half of my top terrace garden bed, and became a forest. I though "oh!" but I left the plants there, imagining a surplus of Mexican green sauce for the summer.




The plants grew, but the pods remained small. Initially I thought that this was due to the fact that I didn't actually plant them, or looked after them. Then I got suspicious, and I tasted one.

They are NOT tomatillos, they are Cape Gooseberries!!! How did they get there I have no idea!
Usually I pick Cape gooseberries from my neighbor, but he is too far away in the bush... the only explanations is... birds??? I am not sure.

Anyway, we like them, and pick some every day now. I decided to improvise a dairy free cake.




I mixed 3 eggs with 200 g of sugar, 200 g of self raising flour, 100 ml of vegetable oil, a little vanilla essence and a few cut Cape gooseberries. Not much of a recipe really, I made it in 5 minutes, and baked it for about 30.




And here it is, my cake, fruit of my surprise crop!!!


Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©


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Comments

  1. Flavia GalassoJanuary 17, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Ciao bellezza, ti aspetto per il mio contest con una delle tue meravigliose ricette veg!!!... tipo questa meraviglia qui sopra...bacioni, Flavia

    ReplyDelete
  2. SwathiJanuary 17, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Delicious tart. I haven't tried this cape gooseberry I need too. Nice recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AdelinaJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    so lovely- I wish i dropped a seed and get a surprise like yours- not in Texas! love the cake- almost thought they were tomatillos:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just UsJanuary 21, 2011 at 3:44 AM

    That's neat! I bet you're on to something about the birds helping you out. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. tim.wilfongOctober 11, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    How big of a pan did you use? I'm halfway through the recipe and it looks like it's way too much for my little 8" round cake pan...

    ReplyDelete
  6. AlessandraOctober 15, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    In fact it was a 9 inches (24cm) pan. Sorry if I am late, I didn't see your comment...

    ReplyDelete
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