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What are Fried Green Tomatoes?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Fried green tomatoes are a traditional side dish in the American South. This dish is also eaten in some Northern households, and it has crept its way into other corners of the world as well. When prepared well, fried green tomatoes are crisp, slightly tangy, and full of flavor. Like other fried foods, they are best when served hot, as they can taste greasy, cloying, or heavy when they are cold.

The green tomatoes used in fried green tomatoes are not tomatoes which are green when they are ripe, but rather unripened tomatoes. Sometimes it can be hard to obtain good green tomatoes, with farmers' markets being the best source. The quality of the tomato also makes a big difference: the mealy, hard, unripe tomatoes from the grocery store, for example, will taste mealy and bland when fried. Garden-fresh green tomatoes are often ideal, assuming one has access to them.

Cornmeal is used to make a crust for fried green tomatoes.
Cornmeal is used to make a crust for fried green tomatoes.

Traditionally, fried green tomatoes are prepared by cutting the tomatoes into thick rounds, dipping the rounds in buttermilk, and then dredging them in cornmeal. However, it can be difficult to keep the cornmeal crust from falling off during the cooking process when this technique is used. As a result, some cooks like to set up a more complicated assembly line which includes an egg wash.

A frying pan, which is used for making fried green tomatoes.
A frying pan, which is used for making fried green tomatoes.

To use an egg wash, the tomatoes are dipped in buttermilk, dredged in flour seasoned with salt and pepper, and then run through a dish of beaten eggs before being rolled in cornmeal. For a finer texture, a mixture of cornmeal and corn flour or cornmeal and regular flour may be used. At this point, the tomatoes are ready to be fried.

A heavy skillet is ideal for frying, with a thin layer of oil or lard, the traditional cooking medium for fried green tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes are cooked on both sides for several minutes, turning the crust a rich golden brown and softening the tomato. They are often served plain as-is, although some people add hot sauce, lemon, or salt and pepper, depending on their taste.

Fried green tomatoes are dredged and fried in seasoned flour.
Fried green tomatoes are dredged and fried in seasoned flour.

Green tomatoes work for this dish because they are still firm. Ripe tomatoes will fall apart in the cooking process, turning the frying pan into a sloppy, gluey mess of tomatoes and cornstarch. The use of egg also helps to keep the components together, ensuring that the result is a neatly cooked tomato round.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

A cornmeal/cornflour mix works just fine, in my opinion. I also like to season that with some cayenne and Old Bay seasoning. It adds a little kick to the tomatoes. I don't add much -- maybe 1/8 of a teaspoon of cayenne.

I concur with Pippinwhite on the oil temperature thing. It is absolutely critical. Worst fried green tomatoes I ever had were at my cousin's wedding. They were frying them fresh, but in large batches, which was cooling off the oil. They were awful. Fortunately, I didn't have to be polite and finish it. I just threw it away. Yuck.

Pippinwhite

Having the oil hot enough is crucial for decent fried green tomatoes. The ideal temperature is 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit. An electric skillet is great for that, because it holds the temperature steady, but a cast iron skillet will do. Make sure you check the oil temperature. If it's too hot, the tomatoes will burn. If it's not hot enough, they will be greasy and yucky.

I really prefer fried dill pickles, but fried green tomatoes are good too, and are tasty with ketchup, ranch or bleu cheese dressing for dipping. But you have to eat them right out of the skillet. Otherwise, they’re soggy and nasty.

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    • Cornmeal is used to make a crust for fried green tomatoes.
      Cornmeal is used to make a crust for fried green tomatoes.
    • A frying pan, which is used for making fried green tomatoes.
      By: Lusoimages
      A frying pan, which is used for making fried green tomatoes.
    • Fried green tomatoes are dredged and fried in seasoned flour.
      By: al62
      Fried green tomatoes are dredged and fried in seasoned flour.
    • Green zebra tomatoes may be used to make fried green tomatoes.
      By: MediablitzImages
      Green zebra tomatoes may be used to make fried green tomatoes.