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The Spruce/Cara Cormack
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
244 | Calories |
10g | Fat |
33g | Carbs |
7g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 6 to 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 244 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 10g | 13% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 7% |
Cholesterol 48mg | 16% |
Sodium 609mg | 26% |
Total Carbohydrate 33g | 12% |
Dietary Fiber 3g | 10% |
Total Sugars 5g | |
Protein 7g | |
Vitamin C 21mg | 107% |
Calcium 59mg | 5% |
Iron 2mg | 13% |
Potassium 296mg | 6% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This easy fried green tomato recipe will make you wonder why you've never made fried green tomatoes before. The crisp coating for the unripe green tomatoes features seasoned flour, buttermilk and egg batter, and a cornmeal and breadcrumb coating.
Frying is a fantastic way to enjoy those end-of-season green tomatoes, and their tangy flavor goes well with just about any meal. Serve fried green tomatoes as a side dish, or serve them as an appetizer with dipping sauces. Remoulade sauce, Southern comeback sauce, and ranch dip or dressing are excellent choices. Or transform your favorite BLT with fried green tomatoes—a BLFGT!
If it's early in the season and you can't wait for green tomatoes, go ahead and make them with firm, ripe tomatoes or green heirloom tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes are less acidic and tangy, but they're still delicious when battered and fried.
If you have an abundance of green tomatoes, there are many other great ways to enjoy them. This green tomato soup puts a Southern spin on classic tomato soup, made with country ham and a combination of green and red tomatoes. Or make a batch of sweet, tangy green tomato pickles or a spicy green tomato chow chow to preserve your harvest. You can even turn your green tomatoes into a tasty dessert! Make a unique sweet green tomato pie or this moist green tomato cake.
"The fresh, zingy tang against that deep fried crunch from is really what makes this special. For such simple and minimal ingredients, this recipe really packs a crunch. I served mine with an extra pinch of flakey salt, a crack of black pepper, and dipped in ranch dressing. They were perfect." —Cara Cormack
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Ingredients
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4 large green tomatoes, about 2 pounds
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
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2 large eggs, beaten
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1/2 cup well-shaken whole buttermilk
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3/4 cup plain fine dry bread crumbs
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2/3 cup fine cornmeal
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1/4 cup bacon grease or vegetable oil, for frying
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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Use a sharp knife to slice the tomatoes crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Arrange them in a single layer on a tray and sprinkle them with kosher salt. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Meanwhile, set up your breading station. Combine the flour and Creole seasoning in a medium bowl. Whisk the eggs and buttermilk in another medium bowl. Combine the breadcrumbs and cornmeal in a third medium bowl.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Blot the tomatoes dry with paper towels.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Coat a tomato slice with the seasoned flour.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Then dip it into the buttermilk-egg batter.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Finally, coat with the breadcrumb-cornmeal mixture and place it on a tray or plate.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Repeat with the remaining slices.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Heat the oil in a deep skillet to 370 F.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Working in batches, fry the tomato slices until golden, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
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Remove the fried green tomatoes to paper towels or a rack to drain and sprinkle them lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
The Spruce/Cara Cormack
Tips
- You can easily ripen green tomatoes indoors. Put the green tomatoes in a paper bag or cardboard box, store them in a dark place at room temperature, and check on them every few days. To hasten their ripening, put a barely ripe banana—ideally, one with a bit of green on the stem end—in the bag with the tomatoes.
- If you don't live in a Southern state, it can be difficult to find green tomatoes. Look for green tomatoes at local farmers' markets or specialty markets.
How to Store Fried Green Tomatoes
- Fried green tomatoes are best eaten while still hot and crisp. If you do have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
- To reheat leftover fried green tomato slices, arrange them on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan in a preheated 350 F oven for about 5 to 10 minutes, until crisp.
Are raw green tomatoes poisonous?
While there are toxins in unripe tomatoes—cooked or raw—they are present in small amounts and shouldn't cause distress when eaten in moderation.