The Taste of Summer in the South…Fried Green Tomatoes!

I mentioned that I took the monkeys berry picking at Blueberry Hill Farm in Haughton, La. in my last post (Dreamy Creamy Chocolate Drops), but we picked more than just berries!  Fried green tomatoes are a summer staple in the south…I ate so many during my pregnancy with Charlie P. that I’m surprised he isn’t a little bit green!!  My sweet Annalise can eat me under the table when it comes to fried green tomatoes…I had to cut her off because I was afraid she would get sick!!

If the closest you’ve come to fried green tomatoes is watching the movie, you have GOT to give these a try!!  They are so delicious; tangy, sweet, and a little bit spicy…just like me!! (heeheehee)  They aren’t exactly healthy veggies, but they are the perfect splurge for ‘every now and then’.

Fried Green Tomatoes:

Begin by heating up vegetable oil or shortening in a heavy skillet, about 1 inch in-depth.  The oil needs to be kept at 350-375° to keep your tomatoes from getting soggy and greasy.

• 4-5 green tomatoes, very firm and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup corn meal
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Slice your tomatoes, discarding the tops and the bottom slices.  Place your slices into a large bowl and pour two cups of buttermilk over the slices.  In a separate dish, thoroughly mix the dry ingredients.  Once your grease temperature is around 375°, pour the two eggs (slightly beaten) into the buttermilk and tomatoes and stir gently to coat.

Dredge each tomato slice in the dry ingredients, making sure to coat the entire slice, then gently place it into the hot grease.  Splash some of the grease over the exposed top to begin cooking throughout.  After 1-2 minutes, gently turn the slices over and cook until they are a deep golden brown.  When fully cooked, place the slices on a cooling rack to allow excess grease to drip off, this will also keep them crisp while you finish cooking.

Some people dip theirs in ranch dressing or a spicy Cajun remoulade, but I like them just as they are…YUMMY!!  The taste of sweet southern summer, right on your plate!!  Enjoy!