Green Tomatoes

Did you all have a fun Halloween, it was cold but we did get a few cuties knocking on our door. This year I brought a candy I don't like, brilliant huh? So happy with this fall weather all I want to do is cook, cook, cook. I hope you are all trying new recipes for yourself & your family. So much available to provide a delicious, healthy, easy diet for everyone.

Kirstin had great luck with her tomatoes, but it just got a little too cold for them to fully ripen. We probably had 10 lbs of green tomatoes. Never one to let things go back, HATE waste. I made Fried Green Tomatoes, we've had them at Pine State Biscuits (best breakfast place in Portland), but I'd never attempted to make them. They were a giant hit and we ate them all gone.....

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Approximates since I'd didn't know what I was going to need.

Rice flour (any flour will work, but rice flour is light w/a mellow taste)

Spices (what you like, I used a Spice mix with lots of savory herbs in it, thyme, basil etc )

salt & Pepper

Milk

Sliced green tomatoes about 1/2 inch thick

Make the seasoned flour, add salt & pepper. Pour milk into a container that will fit the tomatoes. Use a heavy skillet, place enough oil to fry (not deep fry), get it hot. Place tomatoes in milk then dredge in flour, shake off excess. Place in hot pan with oil, watch them, cook until underside is crispy then turn. (The ones I made real crispy were the best and held the crisp) When the other side is crispy they are done. Drain & lightly salt again. Serve hot with different toppings. Last night we used a marinara sauce, ranch dressing & sweet garlic sauce. But you could also use blue cheese dressing, mayonnaise, sweet & sour, ketchup, any topping you like will taste good on these luscious little slices. If you have some green tomatoes hanging around, make these you'll be surprised at how delicious and easy they are to make.

The next recipe is a green tomato salsa. It's a cooked salsa but would be well used in a chicken dish to make maybe a chicken tortilla casserole, green enchiladas, or just plain served on your food.

Green Tomato Salsa

4 c. chopped green tomatoes

2 c. chopped and seeded sweet peppers (banana, red bell)

1 c. chopped and seeded jalapenos, approximately 1/2 pound = 1 cup chopped

1 c. chopped onion

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. cider vinegar

3 cloves crushed garlic

Chop all ingredients and place in saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour salsa in hot jars (pints). Seal and water bath for 30 minutes.

Makes about 5 pints

Don’t have to water bath. Just put them in some big jars and refrigerator, they’ll last a couple of weeks.

Enjoy these green tomatoes recipes and remember to COOK ON....................