Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

By Marlo Colletto (TC3 Farm CSA Member)

The quintessential southern side dish, I’ve wanted to learn to make Fried Green Tomatoes ever since I saw the movie in my single digits (totally lost on me at the time!). Deceptively easy but intimidating because of its multiple steps, I was finally spurred on to tackle this recipe after seeing green tomatoes in my late June CSA share. So glad I did! It’s a nice dovetail to the Creamy Herb Ranch dressing I made earlier in the season, another use for buttermilk, that makes a fantastic fried green tomato dipping sauce.

*If you’re making a substitution and don’t have buttermilk on hand, consider using the same sriracha mayo dip idea as on the Rosemary Rutabaga Fries.

Directions

1. Slice tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds.

Making Breading Mixture

1. Whisk egg and buttermilk together in a shallow bowl.
2. Scoop 1/4 cup flour onto a medium plate.
3. To a second medium plate add remaining flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper and hot pepper powder; combine thoroughly.

Breading Tomatoes

1. Dredge a tomato slice in plain flour, shaking off any excess; dip in egg mixture; dredge in cornmeal until evenly coated and transfer to plate.
2. Repeat with remaining tomato slices.

Frying Tomatoes

1. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
2. In a cast iron skillet, heat 1/4-inch of high heat oil to 375 ° or until hot and bubbling. (Be sure to allow time to reheat between batches!)
3. Gently place tomatoes into hot oil so as not to splash yourself and cook 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel lined plate, keeping tomatoes in a single layer so they don’t get soggy. Sprinkle with flaky salt.
4. Repeat with remaining tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium green tomatoes
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or substitute ½ tablespoon lemon juice/vinegar plus white milk to equal ½ cup)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch of hot pepper
• Coconut oil or other high heat oil, for frying
• Flaky sea salt