What came first the tomato or the movie? I asked myself as I the gather the ingredients from the refrigerator. According to an article The Hollywood Effect: How Fried Green Tomatoes Became a Southern ‘Classic’, the author states that this delicacy has been around for much longer than the movie. Like, I’m sure many of you, I always believed that fried green tomatoes were invented in the American South, and thus became a classic Southern dish whose popularity spread around the country. But the article’s author found evidence that people in the North were eating unripe tomatoes this way since the late 1880s. WHAT?!!
The article is quite a fascinating one and I highly recommend reading it. It digs deep into the early history of the fried green tomato and follows it up to the release of the popular Fried Green Tomatoes movie (it was actually a book first), and into modern day. Regardless of what the actually history is, fried green tomatoes taste fantastic.
Was it that I added Fried Green Tomatoes to my Netflix queue or that I saw the green tomatoes at the market and was inspired to watch the movie? I guess it really doesn’t matter because I loved the movie and I love those crispy slices of fried green tomatoes.
My fried green tomatoes are not like those delectable ones in the movie, for starters, the grainy cornmeal that is traditionally used is not sold here. Very unfortunate. Also I’m quite fond of liberally seasoning the batter of anything I will be frying. Lastly, I had to add my own touch to the fried green tomatoes. I made a very simple, but flavourful salsa to use as a topping or for dipping the fried tomatoes into. The results were quite amazing, so much so that hubby and I devoured the whole batch in about ten minutes. I’m keeping an out for more unripe, green tomatoes so I can prepare another batch.
Watch the video below to see how to prepare the salsa or you can go print out that recipe on it’s dedicated page here –> Salsa Molcajeteada | Tomato & Serrano Pepper Salsa Made In A Molcajete
mjskitchen says
These are a must make in the fall!! I normally don’t fry, but twice in the fall I allow us some fried green tomatoes. They are SO good and yours look awesome!!!
Spicie Foodie says
We don’t really eat fried foods either, but I too make an exception for these — when we can get them. Thank you MJ!
Mary Frances says
Just harvested some great green tomatoes! I already ate most of them (ha!) but maybe I’ll save a few for a fried tomato lunch treat this weekend.
Spicie Foodie says
That’s wonderful Mary! I tried growing tomatoes, but my plants all died because of the intense heat this summer. Maybe next year, right?:)
anna@icyvioletskitchen says
mmmmm i have never had these but the more i read about them in this the more i want them!
Spicie Foodie says
You should try them, Anna. I think you’d like them.
Ramona W says
I brought home some of my sister’s green tomatoes to make some fried green tomatoes too… but I took too long and they started to get red. LOL! Now I wish I had some of your fried green tomatoes to eat because I’m totally craving some. 🙂
Spicie Foodie says
Hehe, oops! You may be able to still find some at the grocery store or farmer’s market. Thanks, Ramona!
Adina says
I loved the book, I think I saw the movie as well, but I don’t remember it as vividly as the book. I have ever since wanted to try fried green tomatoes but somehow always thought they are some special kind of tomatoes, didn’t really realise they are only unripe tomatoes. I found that out recently and I am now waiting for my friend to give up on her tomatoes ever getting red this year. I can actually try the fried tomatoes at last. 🙂
Spicie Foodie says
I haven’t read the book yet, but it’s on my reading list. I hope your friend gets those tomatoes to you so you can give this recipe a try. Lol:)
Adina says
Hi Nancy. My friend brought me her green tomatoes and we fried them on Monday following your recipe quite exactly (I only had to use panko breadcrumbs because I noticed too late that I don’t have the regular ones anymore). What can I say? It was even better than I thought it would be, we absolutely loved them and already made plans for next year’s green tomatoes. 🙂 Thank you for the recipe.
Spicie Foodie says
Hi Adina! Oh that’s wonderful and I loved that you used tomatoes that your friend grew. I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe — I’ll have to try the panko breadcrumbs next time. Thank you! 🙂