There are a lot of green tomatoes in our neighbors canyon gardens this year. The summer was perfect for me, but a little cooler than usual with a few more cloudy days than the tomatoes needed.
Getting tomatoes to fully ripen at our altitude is problematic at best and if conditions are not perfect there are green tomatoes on the plants when snow is just around the corner.
We never have been big on growing vegetables other than a few tomato and pepper plants. This was a no brainer when we lived in the East but the mountains present problems that require dedication beyond our interest for a few tomatoes. We do have neighbors that have success with vegetables and generously share some with us. This year the vegetable growers have a bountiful crop of Green Tomatoes and snow is nearby. It is time to pull out the Fried Green Tomato recipe. This is an easy answer to this green crop bonanza.
Fried Green Tomatoes (not the movie)
Ingredients:
4 large firm green tomatoes cut into ½ inch slices
1 cup of yellow cornmeal (coarsely ground)
2 large eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
½ tsp paprika(optional)
Sea salt & pepper
Preparation:
Mix cornmeal & paprika in a bowl
Season cornmeal with salt & pepper
Beat eggs in a second bowl
Heat oil in skillet-medium heat
Dip tomato slices in eggs then dredge in cornmeal mixture
Prepare enough to fry a single layer in skillet –About 3 minutes on each side till golden.
Drain on a paper towel
Moving quickly, a second batch can be ready to fry when to first goes on the paper.
The tomatoes will be a great accompaniment to a Fall meal with a sense of satisfaction that the green tomato crop is being used purposefully. An omlette served with several fried green tomatoes works especially well on a brisk Fall morning. The Cholula Hot sauce should be kept handy when serving this meal.
Afterthoughts:
Sea salt and Kosher salt are often called for in many recipes. I use a salt that is from Utah and fills both requirements. When we were at the Winter Olympics in Utah a few years ago I discovered Redmond Minerals Sea Salt being sold in a gift shop. Those Olympics are long past but the Redmond Salt is in our cupboard permanently. I order a case when ever we get low. Pay attention to your salt. It is often overlooked for the important element it can bring to your cooking.
