Vegetables Fried Tomatoes, Okra Or Squash
Submitted by msbelle on July 07, 2006 at 4:54 pm

DESCRIPTION
Fried Tomatoes, Okra or Squash. Even though this recipe is for Fried Green Tomatoes, it is the same one used for Fried Okra and Fried Squash. See notes at the bottom about various breading mixtures.

SUMMARY
Yield 0 File under fried, Misc. Recipes & Requests, tomatoes

INGREDIENTS
4 large green tomatoes
2 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup corn meal
salt
black pepper

1 egg
1 cup of either milk, buttermilk OR ice water

cooking oil - Canola or Peanut Oil

INSTRUCTIONS
Cut each tomato into nice thick slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inches. Place a paper towel under a rack (like you would cool cookies on). Sprinkle salt on tomatoes and place on the rack so that some of the liquid can drain off - approximately 20 - 30 minutes.

Combine flour, meal and pepper in a shallow dish.
Thoroughly mix egg and milk.
Heat cooking oil in a deep heavy saucepan, preferably a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Make sure the oil is deep enough so that tomatoes can sink to the bottom and rise to the top.

Pat tomatoes dry and dredge in dry mixture and shake off excess really well. Dip in wet mixture and, again, dredge in dry mixture and shake off. Drop one at a time into hot oil. As it begins to brown on the bottom, it should rise to the top. Watch closely and turn over as soon as it is light golden brown on the bottom. Dip with straining spoon and let dry on a another rack that is over paper towel. When all are done, place on a plate that has a paper towel on it. If possible, serve while hot.

Serve with whatever condiment you like: ketchup, honey mustard, Ranch Dressing, etc.

This basic recipe can be used for tomatoes, chopped okra and chopped yellow squash. I personally like to omit the cornmeal when frying squash sticks and use only self-rising flour. Some people use only flour for all of these; some mix the flour and cornmeal half and half; some use only cornmeal. When frying okra and squash, there is no need to drain off any juice. They are ready to fry as soon as cut. I like to cut my squash into stick like French Fries. Cut okra into 1/2 to 3/4 inch pieces.

I notice that Paula Deen uses only flour and dips her tomatoes in only buttermilk.