Fried Green Tomatoes

I always wanted to make these after watching that movie, but I never got around to it until I had them at a friend’s house last year. This is a good way to use up all those green tomatoes that are left over when it gets too cold to turn them red. There are several different versions I have tried, with varying results, so feel free to experiment and see what works best for your taste buds!

Fried Green Tomatoes – Fried
5 large green tomatoes, or about 2-3 lbs worth
2-3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1 cup (maybe a little more) bread crumbs
(I use Italian bread crumbs, but that is up to you)
1 tsp salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder (or garlic salt and eliminate the salt) Or you can use your favorite spice mixture.
(optional) about 4 cups water and 1/2 cup vinegar
Enough oil in a pan to be about 1/2 inch deep

Slice tomatoes evenly (1/2 inch to 1/4 inch think) and either set aside, or let soak in the water-vinegar mixture for about an hour. Put oil in pan and heat up to frying temperature (med-hi) Don’t let it smoke! Mix spices into flour and set aside in a bowl or on a deep plate. Beat the eggs and milk together and set aside. Put bread crumbs in a bowl or on a deep plate. Coat tomato slices in flour mixture, then dip in egg mixture, and coat with bread crumbs. Then place in hot oil for about 3 minutes, then flip slices over so that each side is a nice golden brown. Once golden brown, take out with tongs and place on paper towels or a drainer to drain off oil. Serve hot, and either plain, or with a sauce of your choice.

Fried Green Tomatoes – Sauteed
Same ingredients as above, but instead of frying, cook in a saute pan with a little bit of oil or butter or bacon fat.