Fried Green Tomatoes

Green tomatoes? Fantastic! Time to make some of this savory treat. The temperatures are dipping and any tomatoes still on the plants may turn into a mushy mess at any moment.  Time to harvest!  Here is how Savorist Monica King uses this unplanned for bounty.

Monica’s Fried Green Tomatoes

Many of us are Southwest at heart but arrived here from other parts of the country, or even the world. Personally, I (Monica) dug my feet into the caliche about twenty-five years ago. I was born in the south and enjoyed life as a migratory beekeeper’s daughter, thus I have been lucky to enjoy cuisine from many areas with different ethnic backgrounds.  Fried green tomatoes has been one of my go-to southern favorites – or so I thought.

I had friends visiting from Missouri, and as I started to make some fried green tomatoes they said, “No way can you out do Missouri Fried Green Tomatoes!    We invented them!” I grabbed my heart! What?! No – this is a Southern dish! Could I have been wrong all these years?

History of Origin

Digging into the past is what I do (more about the Prehistoric Collector).    The upshot is that – sadly, yes – fried green tomatoes are NOT Southern! Apparently the first recipes for fried green tomatoes are in 19th century Northeastern and Midwestern cookbooks! The 1877 Buckeye Cookbook and the 1873 Presbyterian Cookbook. A recipe is also found in the 1919 International Jewish Cookbook.

The first Southern mention was dug up in a 1944 Alabama newspaper! Of course, the movie Fried Green Tomatoes was famous for them at the Whistle Stop Cafe but    there is no documentation of this dish originating in the South.

Variations on a Green Tomato Theme

I have sampled fried green tomatoes from many families, including Mom’s version, and from various cookbooks. Whenever I would taste something different, I’d get excited, “Oh! You used that in there!”    Over time my recipe has turned into a hodge podge of this and that, and it may even change in the future.   Perhaps you have your own twist to suggest? (Please share the comments! They are way down at the bottom of the page.)

I found that the Pennsylvania Dutch used flour.  Cornmeal is a more recent Southern twist.  Using breadcrumbs was an idea from my mom. All I can tell you with certainly is that making any fried green tomatoes recipe is – in my opinion – one of the best and easiest ways of using up green tomatoes picked when freezing temperatures hit…….but then I am also one that cannot resist the first green tomato off a new years planting. I guess I just love fried green tomatoes that much.

If you have never tried them I encourage you to do so. I cheated with this version and used Italian seasoned bread crumbs but add a few other ingredients as I like the heat of the red pepper flakes merging with the twang of the green tomato. The cornmeal gives them a lovely crunch. My husband unfortunately (or is that fortunately?) does not share the same love for the dish – so I tend to make small batches just for myself to savor.

Fried Green Tomatoes

1/3 cup yellow or blue cornmeal
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
egg
oil for frying

Mix all the dry ingredients together in one bowl, set aside.

In a separate bowl, scramble the egg (or eggs depending on how many tomatoes you are using), set aside.

Slice the tomatoes into 1/4″ thicknesses.

Heat enough oil to coat a frying pan, I use avocado oil. Just coat – not deep fat frying here.

Dip each tomato slice first in egg, then in the dry ingredients, coating completely.

Place in the hot oil. And let them sizzle and pop.

After about 1 minute, flip. If they are not golden flip back right away.

When golden on both sides, remove and drain on paper towels.

Enjoy! But not too quickly after cooking. You don’t want to burn your mouth.

Here’s Our Cookbook!

May we suggest our dandy little cookbook?   Christmas is coming 😉

Using Honey in New and Savory Ways offers 36 pages of tips for using honey in your cooking, as well as in all manner of dishes. A steal at only $6!

We hope you will help support some local Southwest folks!
From the review:
“Honey is for more than desserts and this book can help! Using honey in cooking savory dishes helps engage all your taste buds and adds a layer of added flavor to everyday dishes – plus holiday fare.”

Beekeeper?  We offer volume discounts – because if you sell honey in local markets you might want to offer some of these books as well.

Legal Note

© Article copyright Savor the Southwest.  All rights reserved. You must ask permission to republish an entire blog post or article. Okay to use a short excerpt but you must give proper credit. You must include a link back to the original post on our site. No stealing photos.

Disclaimer

The authors of this website have researched the edibility of the materials we discuss, however, humans vary in their ability to tolerate different foods, drinks, and herbs. Individuals consuming flowers, plants, animals or derivatives mentioned in this blog do so entirely at their own risk. The authors on this site cannot be held responsible for any adverse reaction. In case of doubt please consult your medical practitioner.