Fried green tomatoes are one of my kids’ favorite summer side dishes. Sometimes I will have them go get a few tomatoes from the garden and I will make them fried green tomatoes for lunch. We use this same method to fry zucchini when that comes in, and they really like that, too. My girls really like to help in the kitchen, and the slightly spicy “ketchup sauce” that goes with these tomatoes is one of their favorite things to help me make.
I have no idea how a traditional southern grandma would make fried green tomatoes, I just know how I do it. This is what we do..
For Fried Green Tomatoes:
- 2 or 3 green (unripe) tomatoes, sliced. We usually use Beefsteaks because that is what we grow.
- a bowl of egg wash (2 eggs, beaten, and two or three tablespoons of milk)
- a heaping pile of Italian bread crumbs on a plate
- About a 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of oil heating up in a pan (I use vegetable oil)
Dip each tomato slice in the egg wash, then into the bread crumbs, being sure to coat each side thoroughly. Then dip it back into the egg wash and into the bread crumbs again. You have to do it twice if you want a crispy coating. That’s the secret.
Fry the coated tomato slices in the hot oil until golden brown, turning once.
Drain on paper towels.
For Spicy Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup of sour cream or mayonnaise (low fat is fine)
- 1 tablespoon of ketchup
- Sea salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning to taste
If you don’t want the sauce to be very spicy, just limit the amount of spices you use. The ratios are not set in stone. Sometimes the kids make it 1/2 ketchup and 1/2 mayo just because they like pink.
Let me know if you try it!
Old Bay affiliate link provided for your convenience.
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