Fried Green Tomatoes got nothin’ on Fried Red Tomatoes!
Dom came home with a sackful of Roma tomatoes. I love Romas. They’re just the right size, dense and firm with very few seeds, making them perfect for frying. Romas are meaty, hold their shape, and don’t get soggy.
They make an excellent choice for this recipe. Romas maintain their integrity even after dipping and frying. (And who can resist a tomato with integrity?)
A mixture of cornmeal, all-purpose flour and Italian-seasoned bread crumbs delivers a crunchy-munchy coating.
It’s all about creating a pleasing texture and taste. Am I right?
Just look at that deep dark golden crust. It’s all I could do to keep from gobbling them up straight from the skillet.
I used equal parts cornmeal, flour and bread crumbs for the crust and then gave them an extra boost of ‘Italian’ with a hefty shave of Parmigiano-Reggiano as they hit the plate.
I love this dish. We can easily get our hands on Romas, and because we keep the pantry items used for the coating stocked, we’re always in business.
We don’t fry food often, but when we do, it’s gotta be worth it.
The lovely thing about frying is that it seals in the moisture to produce a pleasing and crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender.
The combination of outer crispiness and inner juiciness is a combination I can get behind!
I hope you can too!
Buon Appetito!
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Fried Red Tomatoes
- Category: Appetizer
Description
Fried Green Tomatoes got nothin’ on Fried Red Tomatoes!
Ingredients
- 6 fresh, ripe very firm tomatoes, I used Roma
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cornmeal
- 1/3 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
- Olive Oil for frying
- Salt
- Freshly shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano
Instructions
- Wash the tomatoes in cold water and dry them.
- Slice, horizontally, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Discard the tops and gently pick out the seeds with the sharp tip of a knife.
- Beat the egg lightly in a small bowl.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, and bread crumbs in a deep dish.
- Dip the tomato slices in the egg, letting the excess run back into the bowl, then dredge them in the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides.
- Pour enough oil in a skillet to come up the side about 1/2 inch and heat to high.
- When the oil is very hot, place as many slices as will fit comfortably.
- When a golden crust forms on the bottom side, turn them and do the other side.
- Transfer with a slotted spatula to a paper towel lined plate.
- Repeat the process until all tomatoes are done.
- Sprinkle with salt and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano before serving.
- Serve warm.
Ciao!
WOW, Annie! I have never been super into the fried green tomatoes because, well, red ones are better. But I never realized that people fried the red ones, and now I want to try this so badly! All that shaved cheese on top, too. Good LORD. Amazing.
Yes yes yes – I am with you! The red are just a little sweeter and more tender, in my opinion. I think you’ll love ’em! Enjoy!!
Yes!! I love fried red tomatoes. Sometimes I put some beautiful slaw on top. So awesome!
Oh man… That sounds perfect! 🙂
Love your idea for BLT’s with these fried tomatoes! Can’t wait to give this a try!
That is a fabulous idea!! Thanks, Kevin!
Wow, these look so delicious Annie! Never made fried red tomatoes, but will be giving them a try! Great photos!
Thanks, Mira! I think you’ll really like them!
Annie you will be surprised to know that I have never eaten a fried tomato! I know sounds horrible! these look so good and I like the fact that I don’t have to go to the grocery store specially so I can buy green tomatoes to make fried tomatoes! I always have red tomatoes so I will be making these now! No excuses 🙂
Well, it doesn’t sound horrible…it just sounds sad. (hahaha) And you are exactly right…we can now have fried tomatoes any time we want! No excuses! Thanks, dear!
I have tried fried pickles, but not tomatoes and I can tell that I am missing out, this must happen soon!
This. Must. Happen! If you like the pickles, I think you’ll love these! Thanks, Katalina!
Is it bad that I want these for breakfast right now? Seriously, these look so incredible! Such a great idea too, pinning 😉
Not bad at all! I could eat these tomatoes morning, noon and night! Thanks, Danielle! And thanks for the pin! 🙂
Love this idea, Annie! I’ve never thought to fry a roma tomato and it sounds so delicious especially with all those seasonings! They look perfectly crispy and flavorful!
This is a fun one! It goes perfectly with say…canasta! Do you play? Thanks, Kelly!
oh my god this looks so yummy, I am literally drooling!!
I have the same reaction just thinking about them! Thanks, Manali!
Heh, that’s almost pizza just without the dough!:) Lovely idea, Annie – never seen anything like that!
I know…and who doesn’t love pizza? Dough-less or otherwise?! Thanks, Ben!!
Girl, I’m in the south so I totally have to defend the fried green tomato. But whoa! Who would have thought to batter and fry a roma! BAM! Love this! I can get on board with these fried RED toms!
Yes! You’ll want to get on my board, my friend! These give green a run for their money; I am telling you! 🙂
Girl…. I live in the south, so you know I’ve had my fair share of fried green tomatoes 😉 But I’ve never tried fried red tomatoes! I image they have all of that wonderful crispy fried goodness, but sweeter. And you certainly can’t go wrong with a healthy dose of parm-reg 😉 Brava la mia amica!
That is such a pleasant thought…’fair share of fried green tomatoes’! But these do have a wonderfully crispy sweet goodness that we love! Grazia!! 🙂
Roma tomatoes are the best! So tender and full of flavor 🙂
You bet! Thanks for stopping by, Medha! 🙂
I’ve never had fried tomatoes before, but your pictures are making me want to run to the kitchen as start frying them up this very second!
Ahhhh! Goal achieved! Thanks, dear!! 🙂
I love roma tomatoes, soooo dang juicy and delicious! Taking those and using them, instead of green toms, for frying is genius! I want to reach through my screen and grab up all of them! Nom, nom, nom…. Looks unbelievably yummy! Cheers, Annie!!
Yesssss! And with the romas we can have them as quickly as we have the craving! Grazie, my friend!
Tell Dom “Thank you for the inspiration”!
I will tell him! 🙂
This is so simple yet soo mouthwatering! I am sure I want to try this, I will let you know how mine turn! these tomatoes look so amazing! thanks for sharing Annie!
Happiness! Please let me know how you like them!! 🙂
This is such a great idea, Annie! I’ve only had fried green tomatoes a few times, so I’m loving that you did this with red ones. And the seasonings you used sound absolutely perfect! Can’t wait to try this out!
Thanks, Gayle! The addition of the seasoned breadcrumbs creates a nice flavorful bite!
What a great snack! I love tomatoes and this looks like a fun and yummy way to make them!!
These are so great to munch on! Especially say, during game night! Thanks, dear!
These are amazing!!!
Hahah! They really are! Thanks, friend!