Gardening: Save Those Green Tomatoes

Growing tomatoes can be very rewarding but sometimes it can be extremely frustrating especially when Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. Summer storms, over-watering and garden pests can damage delicate tomato vines. When vines break you may think you've lost your summer tomatoes. That may not be the case. In the south if a plant is not growing well we pluck the green tomatoes from the vine and eat them. Fried green tomatoes is a popular southern side dish.

My favorite green tomato recipe is quick and easy. First, slice them into quarter inch slices, mix one cup of flour and a half cup of corn meal in a shallow bowl. Salt and pepper the tomatoes and coat with flour cornmeal mixture. If you are a true southern you will use bacon grease in a black skillet. If you don't have a can of old bacon grease sitting by your stove use vegetable or canola oil. Make sure your oil is hot. You can test this by dropping a few drops of water into the hot grease. Be very careful not to get splattered. Fry time is fast; maybe two to three minutes. They will be golden brown when done. Serve with eggs, sausage or bacon and a bowl of grits on the side.

There are so many other things to do with green tomatoes. You can find a great green tomato salsa recipe or relish. I know folks that like to make green tomato chutney. I also like to slice them into thin slices and put them in sandwiches along with feta cheese, fresh basil and dill. A friend of mine makes a great fried green tomato salad with corn, diced ripe tomatoes, cilantro and black beans.

My first rule of gardening is: Waste Nothing. If the plants are beyond repair use them as compost. If they've gone to seed save the seeds for next years planting. Learn to harvest everything you grow and you will be surprised how much you can do with damaged plants. Like they say when life hands you lemons make lemonade; however, in this case, when life hands you green tomatoes, fry 'em up and bon appetite!