Saturday, June 2, 2012

Fried Green Tomatoes: Vegetarian Day 1


Yesterday marked Day 1 on my "eat vegetarian for 30 days on my  40 by 40 challenge list. 
 My garden is full of lots of green tomatoes, most of which the birds or bugs will eat sometime before they turn red, so I thought I would make "Fried Green Tomatoes".  I also thought it would easier passing off vegetables to the fam if I fried them first.  I combined a few recipes to get this one:


6 medium green tomatoes
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp red pepper
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup buttermilk (or if you're out use regular milk and add 1/2 TB. lemon juice and wait 5 minutes until it curdles)
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup bread crumbs (I used Italian ones)
1/2 cup corn meal
oil ( I used 1/2 canola and 1/2 olive)


Slice the tomatoes and sprinkle w/ salt and pepper and set aside (one recipe said to let them sit for 5 minutes).  Preheat oil on medium heat. #1 Mix flour w/ peppers, mustard and salt in a shallow dish.  #2 In a second shallow dish beat together egg and milk.  #3 In a third dish mix bread crumbs and cornmeal. 


Dip each tomato slice in #1, #2, #3 and then fry 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.  Sprinkle w/ salt if desired.


Even though, I've lived most of my life in the south, I've never eaten these before, and I expected the tomatoes to be tangy (like an unripe apple).  I was wrong, they taste more like fried zucchini.  We ate them plain, dipped in ranch, or drizzled w/ a little balsamic vinegar (my favorite).  


  I'm not sure how terribly healthy they were, but they were pretty darn tasty. My son even like them, but told me that if I substituted potatoes they would be awesome:)  




To see where I link up or to add your party, please click here.
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9 comments:

  1. I love fried green tomatoes and these look delish! We haven't tried adding red pepper but I bet it is really good. We are now following you!

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  2. I've never had these! A few years back we had terrible blight and I ended up making gallons of green tomato products (It was that or completely loose the harvest) this would have been so much better! I've got this pinned for later when we finally get some tomatoes

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  3. OOOh I'm as happy as Idgy The Bee Charmer (cheesy Fried Green Tomatoes movie reference) sorry I had to :) These look amazing, thank you for sharing, Hugs- Tanya

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  4. Wow! Love fried greeen tomatoes! Link it up with me on my Wow Us Wednesday, ok? Over at www.familyhomeandlife.com

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  5. I love fried green tomatoes and I'm always curious as to how people make theirs. They seem to be a very taste specific dish.

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  6. Your recipe sounds and looks so delish! I am on a diet and I would include this to my recipe list!
    I am having a link party today and I would love if you could share this! I hope to see you there! :)

    xo
    Myric

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  7. Mmm! Those are so good! Thanks for sharing your recipe at Shine on Fridays!

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  8. I just adored the Movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" and I have always wanted to try these! I was a vegetarian for 5 years (until I got pregnant.. go figure) and never once made them! Good luck with your challenge.. and when you're done enjoy a good steak.. I know I did!
    Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo!
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

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