How to make fried green tomatoes

I've always wondered about how to make fried green tomatoes and if they're any good. It's a seasonal southern dish that's similar to the year-round southern classic, fried chicken. And I can see why it's such a southern classic. They're a great way to use of end of season tomatoes, both tasty and economical. It's a much better to fry them up and eat them rather then simply tossing them into the compost.


If you're anything like me, you may have a few lingering unripened tomatoes still hanging on your tomato plants. Everyone I've spoken with agrees it wasn't a good year for tomatoes and this means it's a good year for trying this dish out for the first time. I tried Simply Recipes' version with great success which includes drudging the tomato slices in flour, milk, eggs then breadcrumbs. You could also try dipping each tomato slice in buttermilk and then a cornmeal mix (half cornmeal and half flour) instead.

If you have any unripened tomatoes hanging around, try this recipe out and let me know what you think. I enjoyed making them because, well, now I can say I've tried them. Fried green tomatoes taste good because they're fried (doesn't almost anything taste good when it's fried?), they taste similar to ripe tomatoes once their cooked and it's one of those downhome meals, feels earthy and resourceful.


Fried Green Tomatoes
Source Simply Recipes

Ingredients
3 medium, firm green tomatoes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup milk
2 beaten eggs
2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup olive oil
freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cut unpeeled tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices. Sprinkle slices with salt and pepper. Let tomato slices stand for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, place flour, milk, eggs, and bread crumbs in separate shallow dishes.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Dip tomato slices in milk, then flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs. In the skillet, fry half of the coated tomato slices at a time, for 4-6 minutes on each side or until brown. As you cook the rest of the tomatoes, add olive oil as needed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve with hot sauce and enjoy.