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IMBB #18: Frying Up Green Tomatoes!

August 28, 2005

fr gr tomatoes.jpg

INT. TRAILER--DAY

The air conditioner of the trailer is going full blast, but it doesn't stand a chance against the hot oil that sputters in front of Caryn as she chats on her cell phone and pokes around in the oil with a pair of tongs. She flips over a battered slice of green tomato to reveal a blonde, crispy underside.

CARYN

Mm. These are perfect. They remind me of home.

INT. WINNIE'S APARTMENT--SAME

Winnie cradles the phone on her shoulder as she paints her toenails a blazing red.

WINNIE

Yeah, I'll have to pick up some of my own at the Farmer's Market today.

She shoots a look outside where the heat is rising off the pavement in daunting waves.

WINNIE (CONT'D)

It's so hot out there, you could fry 'em on my front porch. And speaking of home, when are you coming back?

INT. TRAILER

Caryn drains the tomatoes on some paper towels and starts another batch.

CARYN

I wish I knew. They really don't tell me anything.

The door of the trailer swings open and Amelia clambers in.

AMELIA

Caryn, you really should come to set. Your boss has been in a feverish fight with his co-star all morning. It's quite a scene.

CARYN

(in her cell phone)

I gotta go.

She flips the phone closed, turns off the stove and hotfoots it out the door with Amy.

EXT. MOVIE SET

Caryn and Amelia arrive just in time to see Mr. R. scamper onto the set, just ahead of an inflamed Miss A. It seems that more crew than usual are swarming around the fiery display.

DIRECTOR

Action!

Miss A. immediately transforms her searing look into a dazzling smile, but Mr. R. refuses to look at her as the scene plays out. Caryn and Amy draw blistering looks from the sound crew as they whisper to each other during the shot.

CARYN

What happened?

AMY

No idea. They've been at it all morning.

Mr. R. smashes a glass on a painting behind him just as the director yells...

DIRECTOR

Cut!

Miss A. takes a fervent step towards Mr. R., but the director interrupts.

DIRECTOR (CONT'D)

Perfect! And that, my friends, is a wrap for our gentleman star!

Mr. R. looks up in shock. He had no idea that was his last shot.

DIRECTOR (CONT'D)

Let's thank him for a truly radiant performance.

The cast and crew erupt in applause as Mr. R. steps off the set. Miss A.'s surprise is only slightly greater than Mr. R.'s but she wastes no time in chasing him after him.

Without looking back, Mr. R. quickens his pace. He grabs Caryn by the arm and yanks her with him.

MR. R.

Pack quick. Let's get out of here.

Caryn and Mr. R. bolt from the hot pursuit of the raging actress.

CARYN

Don't you want to eat first? I made--

MR. R.

Make it to go. We gotta burn some rubber, baby!

Caryn gasps to keep up with him. She doesn't care, though. She's going home.


I planned, fried and photographed these tomatoes for IMBB #18 before I saw that Nic from Bakingsheet had the same idea. Her oven-fried green tomatoes look wonderfully luscious (and probably lighter!), so try whichever recipe suits your fancy. The important thing to remember here is that tart green tomatoes are only around for a short time of the year, so get frying!

Fried Green Tomatoes

4 medium green tomatoes
1 cup flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
vegetable oil, for frying

1. Slice tomatoes into thick slices (about 1/3"). Stir salt and pepper into flour. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Place flour, eggs and cornmeal in three separate, shallow bowls.
2. Working 1 slice at a time, dredge in flour, dip in eggs and dredge in cornmeal. To avoid fingerprints in the coating, hold tomato slice around the edges. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remainging slices.
3. Heat about 1/2" of oil in large, heavy skillet until hot enough for frying (350-375 degrees). Gently place one layer of slices in the oil (about 4-5 slices). Fry slices until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining slices. Serve hot with a sweet and spicy salsa.

Serves 4.

Posted by Caryn at August 28, 2005 12:31 PM | Printable Version | Recipe Only

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Comments

wow Caryn,
Loved the movie and been thinking about what fried green tomatoes really taste like!!! Will definitely give this a try... *drrooooling*

Posted by: Lisa at August 29, 2005 12:35 AM

Oooo! I don't do IMBB but is "tomatoes" the theme? Could you point me to it? I'd love to see what people are doing with tomatoes. ...not that my tomato plants are producing anymore in this long, hot summer we've had. But who knows if it cools off if they'll pick up and pollenate again. ;>

Posted by: Rainey at August 29, 2005 07:14 AM

...oops! Forgot to say that your fried green tomatoes look luscious!!!

Posted by: Rainey at August 29, 2005 07:14 AM

Wow, what a way to end a shoot. :) I'm glad Mr.R is so level headed. I can't wait to find out what happened between Mr.R and Miss A!

Thanks for the recipe. I am up to my eyeballs in tomatoes right now. A little fried green tomatoes might be nice.

Posted by: Leannwoo at August 29, 2005 08:54 AM

Hi Caryn, those look so delicious. I tried fried green tomatoes at jazzfest in New Orleans one year, but I was decidedly under-wowed. Maybe I should try making my own - I can't imagine how anything fried and served with sweet and spicy salsa could be less than incredible! ;)

Posted by: Melissa at August 29, 2005 09:45 AM

Caryn,

I do love FGTs. What I find most interesting about the flavor is that they taste more like the fruit they are than ripe tomatoes.

Posted by: kevin at August 29, 2005 03:12 PM

I was hoping someone would make fried green tomatoes, and yours look perfect!

Posted by: Gemma at August 30, 2005 10:00 AM

Beautiful and mouth watering as usual Caryn!

Posted by: Danno at August 30, 2005 01:24 PM

Oooooweee!! Things are HEATIN' UP!! Thank God! Hot as frying oil! And looking quite yummy too.
I once had FGT in Houston and though I was a bit unsure about trying them, I was glad I did so. I had them with ranch, I think.

Posted by: Allisa at August 30, 2005 04:34 PM

Thanks for joining in this IMBB, Caryn. These Fried Green Tomatoes look delicious!

Posted by: Linda at September 1, 2005 07:24 PM

I might be one of the very few, who never ever has eaten fried green tomatoes in her life... Not that I didn't want to, I just haven't seen them on any menu here in Germany so far. So some action is required - if I can find some suitable green tomatoes at the farmers market, I will give your recipe a try. They look soooooo delicious!

Posted by: Nicky at September 2, 2005 02:26 AM

I was inspired by your fried green tomatoes and made some of my own for a salad. I used a slightly different recipe and since I hadn't tried them before had to ask my southern husband if the results were what other people would recognize as fgt :) Anyway, a post about it is up at my blog, if you'd like to take a look -- the salad turned out really well and it seems like the kind of thing you might enjoy. Thank you for continuing to bring ideas and inspiration for my cooking attempts.

Posted by: Laura GF at September 5, 2005 09:46 PM

I'm so glad so many of y'all share the same affinity for fried green tomatoes!

Rainey, I'm sure you've discovered by now that this past IMBB was about frying, not tomatoes. But tomatoes would've been fun, eh? You can see the other entries by heading over to At Your Table via the link above.

Laura, your salad looks great! What a fabulous idea! One of my favorite salads is a fried chicken salad, so why not swap out green tomatoes for chicken?! Mmmmm....

Posted by: caryn at September 10, 2005 06:58 AM

Every thing from you looks nice to see and then 'luscious' and when I visit you there one day I will have to visit you.

Thanks
regards
Harryharry

Posted by: Harrison from Kenya at November 25, 2005 08:15 AM

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