Green tomatoes will die and go to waste if not picked before the first frost.
Fried green tomatoes are considered a Southern dish, but food historians believe the unusual recipe may have come to American through Jewish immigrants. The dish is typically prepared near the end of the growing season, because gardeners are left with under-ripe, green tomatoes that won't ripen before the first frost.
Fried Green Tomatoes as a Side Dish
Fried green tomatoes are traditionally served as a side dish along with any meat-based or vegetarian main course. To prepare fried green tomatoes, slice the green tomatoes horizontally into 1/2 inch thick slices. Next, batter the slices by coating them in flour, then dunking them in an egg and milk wash and coating with bread crumbs. Fry the slices in hot oil until browned. Pair the side dish with a roast and mashed potatoes, or along side a vegetable pot pie.
Fried Green Tomato Parmesan
Fried green tomatoes can also stand up on their own as a main course. One way to serve them as a main course is to substitute the eggplant in eggplant Parmesan with fried green tomatoes. To give them an appropriately Italian flavor, season the bread crumbs used to batter the slices before frying with oregano, rosemary and thyme. Serve the tomato slices on top of spaghetti or angel hair pasta, and top the whole dish with tomato sauce and sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese. Pair with a side salad and garlic bread.
Creole-Inspired Fried Green Tomatoes
Another creative way to serve fried green tomatoes is to pair the dish with shrimp remoulade. Remoulade is a spicy sauce that originated in New Orleans and is made by combining lemon juice, onion, celery, garlic, horseradish, mustard, ketchup, salt and cayenne pepper in a food processor and allowing it to chill overnight. The next day, grill some shrimp coated in the remoulade sauce and prepare the fried green tomatoes as usual. To serve, top the fried green tomatoes with grilled shrimp and drizzle the dish with the remoulade sauce. Pair the meal with rice drizzled with remoulade sauce.
Fried Green Tomatoes for Breakfast
Fried green tomatoes can also be part of breakfast. One possible way to serve the tomato slices is in place of the English muffin found in eggs Benedict. Fry the green tomato slices normally, and top one slice with a poached egg, a slice of Canadian bacon, Hollandaise sauce and another fried tomato slice. Serve the meal like a sandwich, with a knife and fork for diners, and pair with grits for a hearty and truly Southern-inspired meal.
Tags: green tomatoes, dish with, fried green, fried green tomatoes, main course, remoulade sauce
