If you’re like me, you’re probably mourning the end of your summer garden as we head into the heart of autumn. However, as you clean up your garden to prepare for winter, you might find a few tomatoes left on your plants! These last harvest gems are a treat all their own. Fried Green Tomatoes with Herbed Goat Cheese are a fall tradition that my family has had for as long as I can remember. The unique tang of green tomatoes coupled with a crispy, golden-brown panko coating is a flavor combination that’s perfect for ending your harvest with a bang. I’ve also seen green tomatoes in grocery stores, so you could really whip these up any time you’re craving that addictingly unique flavor. And don’t skip out on that creamy goat cheese – it’s the perfect complement for the crispy punch of the tomatoes. Once you try this recipe, you’ll never throw out your unripe tomatoes again.
Although there is significant debate regarding the origin of fried green tomatoes, most people today associate them with the south. It’s easy to see why they have become so popular there – It’s a great way to use up tomatoes that never got a chance to ripen, they have a deliciously tangy flavor, and they are very unique! Nothing else tastes like fried green tomatoes.
Just be sure you are truly using unripe tomatoes when you make this dish. There are a couple varieties of tomatoes that are still green when ripe! Unripe green tomatoes for frying will be very firm to the touch and light green in color.
Try some of my other pan-fried favorites:
Parmesan Rosemary Polenta Fries
Paneer Picatta with Tagliatelle
I’ve been disappointed too many times by fried green tomatoes in restaurants. They are usually too thickly breaded, and too thickly cut, leaving them crunchy and raw inside while too bready outside. I think this combination of thinner tomato slices and simple egg and panko coating keeps them crispy outside and perfectly tender inside.
I also like to pan-fry these tomatoes rather than deep-frying, because their flat shape makes this easy to do. I think you can get that same, perfectly golden exterior without going through the effort of heating and using so much oil.
I hope you love these Fried Green Tomatoes with Herbed Goat Cheese as much as I do! If you make this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you thought or feel free to ask a question! I’d also love to see what you made! Tag me in your food pictures @fortheperfectbite or use #fortheperfectbite on Instagram.
Fried Green Tomatoes with Herbed Goat Cheese
Ingredients
Fried Green Tomatoes
- olive or vegetable oil
- 4 green tomatoes be sure these are unripe tomatoes, not the variety of tomatoes that are green when ripe
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- chives, for garnish
Herbed Goat Cheese
- 4 oz. goat cheese, room temperature
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp fresh rosemary chopped
Instructions
Fried Green Tomatoes
- In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Use enough oil that the skillet is coated in a thin layer.
- Slice the green tomatoes to ¼-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the eggs and panko breadcrumbs into two separate bowls. Beat the eggs.
- Coat each slice of tomato with egg, allowing the excess to drip off, then coat in panko breadcrumbs. Be sure to evenly coat in panko.
- Carefully place the tomato slices in the skillet, working in batches to avoid over-crowding the pan. Fry the tomatoes for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown on one side, then flip, cooking another 2-3 minutes. When the tomatoes are evenly browned, remove to a wire cooling rack or paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle lightly with salt on one side.
- Serve warm, with the herbed goat cheese and chives.
Herbed Goat Cheese
- In a small bowl, stir together the goat cheese, thyme, black pepper, and rosemary until smooth.
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Based on 1 Review(s)
2 Responses
Fabulous idea to pair the goat cheese with these tomatoes! I always struggle to find a good accompaniment to fried green tomatoes’
It really does work so well together!
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