A physalis is a fruit native to central and south America. It is closely related to the tomato and is encased in a husk that looks like a lantern. It is about the size of a marble and is very sweet. This makes it ideal for making pies and jam. It is a bright yellow-orange when ripe. It is soft but full of small seeds. Some varieties of the physalis are the cape gooseberry, the tomatillo, and the Chinese lantern.