Physalis peruviana

Physalis peruviana is closely related to the tomatillo, a fellow member of the genus Physalis.

Physalis peruviana, Cape gooseberry (uchuva)

In folk medicine, Physalis peruviana has been used as a medicinal herb to treat cancer, leukemia, malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis or rheumatism.

Not long after its introduction to South Africa, Physalis peruviana was introduced into Australia, New Zealand, and various Pacific islands.

One name for Physalis peruviana is Cape Gooseberry, not to be confused with the true gooseberries, which are of the genus Ribes in the family Grossulariaceae.

Excellent peppery noisettes of venison came on a lightly sweet-tart sauce made from unsugared grape jam and were accompanied by beets, pearl onions and the unusual, sweet-tart physalis peruviana, also known as cape gooseberry.