Unripe and Ready

Linda Hahn, a farmer from Baldwinsville, has been selling green tomatoes at the Downtown Farmers’ Market
for the last 30 years. She says most buyers use them to make that
Southern classic dish, fried green tomatoes, although they may be used
for relishes and pies as well. 

Hahn adds that green tomatoes have been
popular since she began selling at this market. They are not as popular
as ripe tomatoes, but many ethnic groups, particularly
African-Americans, find a variety of uses for the unripe fruit. Green
tomatoes are usually available from July to the middle of September. 

Visit the Downtown Farmers’ Market, West
Washington and South Clinton streets, on Tuesdays through Oct. 13, from
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 422-8284 for more information. 

For the classic fried green tomatoes
recipe, from www.southernfood.com, slice 4 to 6 green tomatoes into
½-inch slices. Salt and pepper them to taste. Dip in cornmeal and fry
in vegetable oil (or bacon grease for authenticity) for about 3 minutes
or until golden on the bottom. Gently turn over and fry the other side.
Let rest on paper towels to soak up excess oil. Enjoy!

Pick quick: Green tomatoes don’t last too long in the garden because they eventually turn red. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

 

If you’d rather go out for your midsummer treat, head to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que,
246 W. Willow St., which appreciates the exceptional qualities of
unripe tomatoes and offers two different kinds of fried green tomatoes
on its menu. Ana Mulroy, the Dino’s service coordinator, says,
“We serve original fried green tomatoes {$5.95}, which are fried in
canola oil and topped off with romano cheese. You can also get them all
dolled up with shrimp and cheddar cheese melted on them and garnished
with our legendary country ham Bacos {$8.95}. The country ham has a
very strong flavor and is very popular.” 

Fried green tomatoes are an unusual and
zesty component of the Dino’s menu. “The fried green tomatoes are very,
very popular,” Mulroy continues. “They are a signature item on the
menu. It’s not really a seasonal thing, and people order them because
it reminds them of their childhood, they’ve never had them before or
because they’re curious. The fried green tomatoes are ordered steadily
year-round.”