Introduction
Ask any tomato grower about their biggest dilemma and they will say ‘green tomatoes’. They are not sure what to do with the ones that are still green and hard at the end of the growing season. If you are also growing tomatoes of your own and facing a similar dilemma, then this article is for you. Instead of tossing them over with the garden waste, there are many ways you can use these unripe green tomatoes. In fact, some recipes especially call for the tart flavor and hard texture that a green tomato brings to the plate.
In this article, you will learn different ways that a green tomato can be used.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Let’s start with the classic, fried green tomatoes. They are easy to make and a Southern specialty (https://www.allrecipes.com/article/heres-how-use-your-unripe-green-tomatoes/). There are different recipes for fried green tomatoes but this one is my absolute favorite:
Mix an egg and milk. Take out some flour on a plate. Take some breadcrumbs or cornmeal in a plate and season with salt and pepper. Take your tomatoes, cut them up in thick slices, and coat them in flour. Now dip these in the milk and egg mixture. Now, cover them it the cornmeal or breadcrumb mix. Fill a pan with cooking oil and fry them until they are golden brown. Serve your fried green tomatoes with a dipping sauce, such as sriracha or ranch sauce (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKBkY-7TCw0).
Pickle Them
Now that we have covered the basic, let’s talk about some other ways you can use your tomatoes. You can also pickle your green yummy tomatoes. They hold up well in a vinegar brine as they are hard and firm. You need a tart and sweet brine that is mostly used in making bread and butter pickles. Green cherry tomatoes look best in pickles but any sized tomatoes will do the job, You can use these pickled delicacies to garnish cocktails, or simply enjoy them if you like pickles.
Make Stews and Sauces
Another way to make use of green tomato is to add them up in stews, and sauces (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2015/oct/01/what-do-i-do-with-green-tomatoes). You can also simply chop them up and add them to chunky stews or soups. You can sautee a green tomato in some oil along with ginger, garlic and onions and it would form a great base for any stew. You can also make a green tomato chutney which is a fantastic condiment that goes well as a dip with many kinds of food.
Make a Tomato Pie
Well, tomatoes are technically a fruit. Why not add them to a pie? You can either make a pie with just green tomatoes or add fruit like firm baking apples to make a great combination. Follow the same recipe that you usually follow for making a pie and you will have an amazing flavored dish that everyone will love. It will have a different taste than the normal apple pie but believe us, it will be too good to ignore.
Make Pasta Sauce
Another great way to utilize your firm green tomatoes is to make a pasta sauce out of them (https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-use-green-tomatoes-102091). Who said that only a ripe one can make an amazing pasta sauce? Dice a green tomato and saute it in a little oil to soften it up. Add dried chili flakes and pecorino cheese and you will have a great savory pasta sauce ready. Add pasta to it, season with salt and pepper and you will have a great dish.
FAQ
What can I do with green tomatoes from my garden?
Green tomatoes can be used in a variety of ways. Refer to the information given above to learn how you can use green firm tomatoes.
What are green tomatoes good for?
A green tomato is good for sauces, pickles and can also be used in jams and desserts like pies.
Is it safe to eat green tomatoes?
Yes, eating these tomatoes is perfectly safe. They have a different taste than the regular tomatoes but are safe to eat.
How do you turn green tomatoes red?
You can use ripening bananas to turn green tomatoes into the red ones.
Conclusion
These were some simple ways you can use green tomatoes. With these ideas, you will become a fan of a green tomato. The different tangy taste and firm texture make a green tomato ideal to be used in different dishes.
How do you like to use your green tomatoes? Let us know in the comments.