Fried Green Tomatoes

Yes I love the movie.

Yes I love the food.

 

At this time of year, when so many tomatoes are coming in, it's nice to find recipes using green tomatoes, and this is one of my (and everyone's) favorites.

I don't make them frequently because they're not exactly health food (surprise!),

but they are a much appreciated treat when I do make them.

 

A lot of recipes use cornmeal. Mine doesn't.

Other than that, I have to say it's pretty straight forward.

I like to use tomatoes that are still green (obv), but are just starting to turn (they're not so tart that way).

 

Slice them about 1/2 inch thick.

You want them thicker for frying.

This recipe is for about 3 medium tomatoes.

 

Let them sit on a paper towel for a bit so some of moisture comes out.

They'll be easier to bread that way.

 

Then, dip them in a flour dredge:

about 1/2 cup flour, salt, pepper, and a heaping teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning.

Shake off extra.

 

Dip in milk mixture:

about 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 beaten egg, more salt, pepper, and Old Bay.

 

Dip in breadcrumbs:

This is where most southerners would have some cornmeal.

I just use panko bread crumbs. They fry the best.

 

Then fry in oil for about 3-5 minutes on each side until each side is golden brown and your tomatoes are just beginning to soften, but not turn mushy.

Do this in batches so your oil stays hot.

 

Then place on a paper towel to cool a bit. Hit them with salt right out of the oil.

 

Serve them with tobasco (our choice), remoulade, on a sandwich, in a quesadilla (yes I have dont this. so good), plain, whatever... they would taste good on a tire.

 

My favorite: use as them at the "T" on a BLT and add sliced avacado and a fried egg.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

Garden Update June 2012

June went really well in the garden.

Everything is looking great,

and the first fruits (vegetables, really) are popping up everywhere.

First tomatoes and peppers.

First zucchini
and yellow squash.

And just wee little beginnings of cucumbers.

My herbs are growing like crazy.

(I'm so happy to finally have some lavender!

I was surprised to have so much trouble finding a plant,

but I eventually found a plant at the farmers market from my regular guy)

My peas are about done,

it's getting way too hot for them,

but I'm pleased with what I was able to harvest.

I'll definitely be planting more shelling peas next year.

The farmers market is full of new food stuff,

so I'm getting my canning supplies together and planning out what I would like to put up this year.

Living on such a small piece of property really limits what we can grow,

and we pretty much eat through what we grow ourselves.

Luckily, we have a great farmers market,

and I've fostered a relationship with a local farmer there,

so I can "order" bushels of whatever I would like to put up.

You'll be seeing lots of putting up posts in the future,

but for now, I'm just planning out what I can put up that we would eat a lot of through the winter.

Anyone out there have a favorite?