Fried Green Tomatoes

Right off the Vine

Spiced and Soaking in Buttermilk

Frying to a Golden Brown

Grilled Bread with Green Tomatoes, Arugula and Bacon

This is a classic Southern Summertime staple -fried green tomatoes. These are simply green, unripe tomatoes that are coated with some type of batter or seasoned flour and fried till crispy brown.
The tomatoes can be harvested unripe any time during the growing season, but often in the Fall when the last of the tomato crop will not have time to ripen is the best.  The green tomatoes are firm with a slight tangy to sour flavor and will remain firm and not soggy when cooked. My idea was to pair these classic fried tomatoes with the classic BLT sandwich, with lots of good flavors and textures.
I treated my tomatoes to the same process of my fried chicken. I sliced them thick to soak in buttermilk and a southern dry-spice mixture, then dredged them in a spiced cornmeal-flour mixture. Next fried in vegetable oil heated to 350F till crisp and brown, drained and sprinkled with salt.

Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients:
Green unripe tomatoes, sliced thick
Buttermilk to cover
Kosher salt
Fresh Cracked Pepper
Cornmeal
Paprika
Cayenne pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for frying

Method:
1. Soak the tomato slices in buttermilk and spices for a few hours.
2. Heat vegetable oil to 350F in a deep heavy pot.
3. Toss the tomato slices in cornmeal and spices.
4. Fry the tomatoes in small batches till golden crisp.
5. Remove and place on wire rack or paper towels.

Note: Serve right away with a dusting of salt.