Fried Green Tomatoes in Your Kitchen Cafe
Fried green tomatoes are a much unheralded bonus of the coming fall. Contrary to what some may think, green tomatoes are just regular tomatoes, picked before they've ripened.
At the end of the growing season, and before the first frost, growers and home gardeners pick the big tomatoes that are still unripened on the vine.
You don't actually have to wait until fall, you can pick unripe tomatoes at any time before they turn ripe to make fried green tomatoes. In the interest of seasonal cooking, canning and recipes calling for ripe tomatoes; most gardeners don't do that. It can seem wasteful to take a tomato that will soon turn luscious, red, and ripe and use it for frying.
By waiting until fall, you're actually preserving what would otherwise go to waste…the tomatoes that will no longer be able to ripen on the vine. If you don't have a garden, you can get them from many farm stands or farm markets.
Fried green tomatoes are really a treat by themselves, and are perfect for a movie night snack while watching one of the all time greatest chick flicks – Fried Green Tomatoes.
To make Southern Fried Green Tomatoes:
Ingredients:
2 1/2 pounds green tomatoes, sliced (about 7 medium green tomatoes)
3/4 cup flour
salt
pepper
4 Tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
1. Combine salt, pepper and flour in a flat pan. Coat tomatoes well.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in large skillet.
3. Add tomatoes in one layer, fry for about 5 minutes on each side.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©elena_hramowa/ via Getty Images.