Fried Green Tomatoes

I would like to share with you all another favorite of mine from Miss Paula Deen...her deliciously easy fried green tomatoes. These are so good, and fry up in no time. Now, just because you don't see green tomatoes at your local grocery store, doesn't mean you can't get them. I shop at the Publix here in South Georgia, and they never keep green tomatoes in stock, but if you ask one of the produce workers to order some, they'll do it no problem, and they'll tell you what day they'll be in. Try to pick them up the day they get them in though, cause I've found if you don't, they'll likely be gone. Seems they go fast when people who aren't used to seeing them find them in stock.  Oh, and if you've got some time, the Fannie Flagg book 'Fried Green Tomatoes' (the one the movie's based on) is GREAT! Really, every book from Fannie Flagg is great, but if you've never read her stuff, that's a fine place to start!

'Fried Green Tomatoes'

Source: Paula Deen

3 or 4 large firm green tomatoes

Salt

2 cups vegetable oil, for deep-frying

1 cup buttermilk (recommended, though you CAN use regular milk)

2 cups self-rising flour

Freshly ground black pepper

Slice the tomatoes 1/4-inch thick. Lay them out on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Allow time for salt to pull the water out of the tomatoes, approximately 30 minutes.

In a skillet, heat the oil for deep-frying over medium-high heat.

Dip the tomatoes into buttermilk, then dredge them into flour with a dash of pepper. Deep-fry until golden brown.