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Fried green tomatoes
Cornmeal-crusted slices of tart unripe tomato
AmericanFried green tomatoes are the early-summer and end-of-season treat of Alabama and Georgia kitchens, when the garden is full of firm, unripe fruit. Thick slices are dipped in buttermilk and a cornmeal crust and fried until crisp outside, while the inside softens and stays tangy. Serve them hot with a spoonful of pimento cheese or a dab of remoulade. Chef's tip: salt the slices and let them drain for 10 minutes so the crust doesn't go soggy.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 4 firm green tomatoessliced 1 cm thick
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 ⅛ oz plain flour
- 3 ½ oz fine cornmeal
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¾ cup vegetable oilfor shallow frying
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Lay the 4 firm green tomatoes on a rack, sprinkle with half the ½ tsp salt and leave 10 minutes. Pat dry.
10 minStep 2: Set out three shallow dishes: the 2 ⅛ oz plain flour; the ¾ cup buttermilk; and the 3 ½ oz fine cornmeal mixed with the 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp black pepper and remaining ½ tsp salt.
3 minStep 3: Dip each slice in flour, then buttermilk, then press into the cornmeal so it is well coated.
6 minStep 4: Heat 1 cm of ¾ cup vegetable oil in a heavy frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the slices in batches for 2–3 minutes a side, until deep golden and crisp. A common mistake is crowding the pan, which steams them.
12 minStep 5: Drain on a rack (not paper, which softens the bottom) and serve hot.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fried green tomatoes take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of firm green tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
- What can I use instead of buttermilk?
- Milk with lemon juice or white vinegar: 1 tbsp per 240ml (1 cup) milk, left for 5 minutes.
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