cooking question about fried green tomatoes

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:06pm

I'm taking a chance that someone might be able to help me here, but not counting on it.

I love fried green tomatoes and I was able to make some because my friend had leftover tomatoes from her plant which will never turn red.

Does anyone know if green tomatoes are available year round in any store?

[Liverpool]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:08pm

please don't cook Mary Louise Parker. I want to father a child with her.

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:13pm

I almost never see green tomatoes in a store. They only put them in there when they're ripe. If you can find a grocer who sells locally grown produce or you know of any farmer's markets - then that's the place to get them. This time of the year is perfect for them. There's always a lot of late tomatoes on the vine that won't get ripe because of the coolness and limited sunlight. We used to get them for practically nothing and we'd make green tomato relish with them. (It's delicious. But so are the fried green tomatoes!)

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:15pm

thanks Mamie, I'll definitely ask at the green market this weekend. I was just wondering if they could be found anywhere when they're out of season, for people who like to make the fried green ones. Probably only down south!

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:49pm

I'm in Georgia, and green tomatoes are available year-round here. Through a long process of trial and error, I now make some kick-ass fried green tomatoes. (Don't believe me? Come visit.) But they are a Southern staple, I don't know if they would be available year-round in New York.

[soapguy17]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:52pm

They're for sell all year round here too. (In Alabama), I don't cook them all that often though. When I do though, they're awesome!

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:56pm

Soap, I think it's a city ordinance in Birmingham that you HAVE to have green tomatoes available year round. After all, it's the hometown of Fannie Flagg and the Irondale Cafe!

[soapguy17]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 10:59pm

Ha Ha! I'm pretty sure it is, right under that thing about owning a deep fryer. (I swear I get the weirdest looks from my northern family members when they see the one in our kitchen.)

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 11:06pm

That's what I thought-they're available down south.

Mine aren't too bad even though I don't deep fry them.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 11:12pm

Jane, I use a pan myself. I don't own a deep-fryer. Or a giant charcoal/gas grill for that matter. I'm surprised I haven't been drummed out of the neighborhood.

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 11:23pm

Is there really a big difference in flavor in deep frying vs. pan frying them?

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 11/1/07 at 11:39pm

Not that I can tell. There are three restaurants within walking distance of my house that have fried green tomatoes on their menu and I know they deep fry, but the only flavor difference I can tell between theirs and mine is in the breading. I firmly believe that my fried green tomatoes are better than Ruth Ann's and Minnie's, but for the life of me I can't surpass the quality of Cafe 222's. They're made by a middle-aged black lady who also comes out into the dining room to sing hymns during the lunch rush. As much as my FGT's rock, they don't hold a candle to hers. I long to know her secret. Her tomatoes are divine.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 11/2/07 at 12:15am

My mother found some frozen fried green tomatoes at home. It sounds icky, but I am telling you, they are SO damn good.

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/2/07 at 9:13am

I found a discussion on making your own from frozen slices. This note was the most helpful:

"I've frozen sliced green tomatoes (no breading) and then just dip and bread the frozen ones and fry them still frozen. Works very well--the key is to not let them thaw! Less messy than freezing already-breaded slices. When it's time to bread, I dip them in beaten egg then dredge them in a cornmeal/flour mix.
I freeze the slices on a tray, then put them in a ziploc or vaccuum seal them with my foodsaver. "

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/2/07 at 9:34am

JG, it doesn't sound icky if that's the only way I can get them! Now to find a supermarket here that carries the frozen.

NYC supermarkets have NO products-I'm serious.

Mamie-that sounds good, if I can find the frozen ones, thanks~