Fried Green Tomatoes make the case for Julia Child’s famous words, “Cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy.”.
A few slices of firm unripened tomatoes dipped in egg wash and lightly enveloped in cornmeal and seasoned bread crumbs then shallow fried to a perfect crisp is food that is cooked well without being fancy. (I hope you took a deep breath before reading that sentence.)
With fried green tomatoes, it’s all about texture and taste…
The crunchy feel of cheesy fried breadcrumbs, and the taste of a beautifully tender tomato dressed up in seasoned crumbs and cornmeal, Romano cheese and chives.
These beauties whisper hot summer afternoon, don’t you think?
I used equal parts cornmeal, flour and bread crumbs for the crust, then gave the maters an extra boost of ‘Italian’ with a nice curl of fresh Romano as they hit the plate.
But I didn’t stop there…
A tiny shake of salt, a sprinkle of grated Romano and a flurry of chopped chives give these tomatoes all the flavor we could ever want in an appetizer.
These Fried Green Tomatoes are:
- Super crispy
- Perfectly cheesy
- Simple to make
- Summer food at its finest
- Savory
- Delicious
What’s not to love?
Buon Appetito!
PrintFried Green Tomatoes
- Category: Vegetable
Ingredients
- 4 large unripe tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices, ends removed
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
- Olive Oil for frying
- Salt
- Chopped chives
- Freshly grated and shaved Romano
Instructions
- Wash the tomatoes in cold water and dry them.
- Slice, horizontally, about ½ inch thick.
- Discard the tops and gently pick out the seeds with the sharp tip of a knife.
- Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, and bread crumbs in a deep dish.
- Dip the tomato slices in the egg, letting the excess run back into the bowl, then dredge them in the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides.
- Pour enough oil in a skillet to come up the side about ½ inch and heat to high.
- When the oil is very hot, place as many slices as will fit comfortably.
- When a golden crust forms on the bottom side, turn them and do the other side.
- Transfer with a slotted spatula to a paper towel lined plate.
- Repeat the process until all tomatoes are done.
- Sprinkle with salt, grated and shaved Romano and chopped chives before serving.
- Serve warm.
CIAO!
Luisa Bellissimo says
We all love fried green tomatoes. Never made them with cornmeal, but will try it very soon!
Thanks.
Luisa an Italo-Canadese from Woodbridge Ontario Canada.
Annie says
I think you’ll love it! Adds the nicest bit of crunch! Enjoy!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever tried fried green tomatoes!! It feels wrong to say that. I’ll be trying these soon!!
Annie says
I think you’ll love them Katherine! Thank you for stopping by with a kind word, my friend! 🙂
Marisa says
I’ve never had fried green tomatoes and these look so tempting! Love the extra touch of shaved Romano cheese?
Annie says
I think you’d really love them, Marisa! Happy weekend, my dear! 🙂
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
These are amazing and that shaving of cheese is the perfect touch!! The crispy golden coating makes me drool ?. Take care!!
Annie says
Crispy and golden are two of my favorite words when describing food! 😉 Thanks, my friend!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Fried green tomatoes are one of my faves Annie! These look like they’re done perfectly! A nice crunchy, crispy coating. Just the way I like it. I’ll definitely be giving these a go! Happy almost the weekend!
Annie says
They truly are a special treat! Happy weekend, my friend!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
I did not know about them until Loreto made them for me. And I love them! Love that you used a part of cornmeal, it makes them even crispier, which I love, and that touch of shaved pecorino…yum! Beautiful pics, as always!
Annie says
The cornmeal delivers the greatest crisp factor! So glad you like, my friend! Have a happy weekend! Thank you!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I’ve never made fried green tomatoes before, Annie! These look so good. I have lots of green tomatoes growing so I am going to make this this weekend!
Annie says
I’m excited for you! They’re so yummy! Have fun, my friend!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I’ve been obsessed with fried green tomatoes ever since my mom read Fannie Flagg’s book forever ago and raved about it. I was like who eats green tomatoes? But then I made them and OMG everybody should eat green tomatoes! I love that you added cheese :). Have a great weekend, Annie!
Annie says
Yep – that movie was my first introduction to them too! I could put cheese on just about everything! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
These look so good, Annie! The chives and Romano are perfect accents. My hubby adores fried green tomatoes, so my Mom makes them just for him, Lol!
Annie says
Your hubby’s a lucky man!! Thanks, Andrea!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a fried green tomato, but I’m sure I’m missing out on something fabulous, so I’ll be trying these for sure 🙂
Annie says
The tiny bit of tart of the green tomato complemented by the crunch of the breading is phenomenal! Hope you have the chance to try them! 🙂
Milena | Craft Beering says
Totally agree with you – these are perfect for summer snacking or light dinner! And if you make a platter with your crispy eggplant and these tomatoes and open a few cold ones it would be dreamy! Yes to simple foods! They are the best!
Annie says
Okay! I love the way you think!! That sounds like a perfect summer evening!! Cheers!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I agree – what’s not to love? You are making me crave these so bad right now! I’ve never actually fried green tomatoes, but have just eaten them raw on a sandwich, sliced thin (so good). I’m definitely going to try these cause they look like the perfect comfort food. You know what? I bet these would even be fabulous for b fast with a poached egg! Pinned! Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Annie says
Yummmm! Now you’re talking! I added a dollop of marinara – but a poached egg?! I say YES! Thanks for the great idea, my friend! Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’ve only had fried green tomatoes a handful of times, but I sure do love them! There’s just something about them that makes me them feel like I’m eating a delicacy. Love your version, Annie! Sounds SO good!
Annie says
That little bit of extra cheese takes them over the top for me! Thanks, friend!!
Karen Edwards says
Ann, these look delish and fun to make. Where did you get the green tomatoes?
Annie says
Thank you, Karen! These are a special treat, for sure! I got them at Wegmans! Let me know if you make them! 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Our very favorites are fried green tomatoes. We’ve been making them for years and I’d never heard of them until I married my Honey! Our method is different than yours but the results are the same — super crunchy delicious tomato slices that are addictive. And if we do have leftovers they taste good the following day. Great photos!! You’re making me hungry!! Abbracci!!
Annie says
Aren’t they the yummiest? We used our leftovers to top a plate of rigatoni. That crunch over the pasta mixed with marinara was phenomenal! Thanks, dear!!