Watch My Food Grow ~ A South Florida Raised Vegetable Garden

Florida Backyard Raised Vegetable Garden

Fried Green Tomatoes

May 1st, 2013 by Lila Steinhoff

LOTS of  Green Tomatoes

This is the fourth year that I have grown tomatoes in a raised garden, but it’s the first year that I have had tomatoes or any other plants that have grown with such gusto. I do believe it is the soil I used this year, but that is a story for another time.

tomato plantsTomato Plants

green tomatoesGreen Tomatoes

I have so many green tomatoes that the temptation to fry up a bunch… even before I have had ripe ones… was just too strong.

Gave into Temptation

I couldn’t resist any longer and picked two of the biggest green ones on the vine to make fried green tomatoes.

green tomatoesGreen Tomatoes

How to Fry Green Tomatoes

While there is no mystery to frying green tomatoes, there is a difference of opinion among cooks as to whether flour or cornmeal should be used. I am totally a flour person. Period.

Firm, green-as-grass tomatoes are  sliced about 1/4 in thick,

sliced green tomatoesSliced Green Tomatoes

 lightly salted and dipped in flour… front and back.

flouring green tomatoesFlouring Green Tomatoes

Place the tomato slices in a heated skillet with oil on medium high heat.

frying green tomatoesFrying Green Tomatoes

Turn the tomatoes when the side is lightly browned. I have found that a large fork works way better than a spatula for turning the tomatoes. Watch the tomatoes closely, as they cook pretty fast.

IMG_0284Cooling Fried Green Tomatoes

When they are done, remove the tomatoes with a fork and place them on a cooling rack that allows any extra oil to drip off.

I have to say that most times, the finished product never makes it to a plate. I eat them right from the rack. Yum! I am the only one in my house who likes them, so the standing dining experience is all good. Lucky me!

Tags:   · · · 2 Comments

Leave a Reply to Gail Jackson Brown (Cancel)

2 responses so far ↓

  • Yummy! And the tomatoes on the vine are picture perfect too!

    • I agree, Gail. I have been impressed myself. Since I had to begin this year with new boxes and new soil, I went to a local farm store for soil rather than the big box stores or the ‘scoop it up’ nursery.

      The vegetable production comparison to the last few years is astounding. The type of soil is the only variable that is different. It was well worth the extra couple of dollars per bag.