Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
What should I tell you about this sandwich? All I can say is that you need to make it and fry extra green tomatoes, because they are so good and addictive, then you will end up eating them before they can make it into the sandwich. They are so addictive and they are fried too!
We tried this sandwich at a deli in Charleston last year when we could all travel so easily. It was so delicious that I had to recreate it. Because, I cannot travel to Charleston every so often just to get this sandwich. So, pretty much its inspired by the exact recipe of that place. I didn’t have the original recipe but I have tried to keep similar flavors. Although, I changed some things up but that’s only because I didn’t have all the ingredients. But, it works as a charm because the star of the sandwich are the fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese.
Have you ever tried pimento cheese, OMG. Where was it my whole life until last year when I tried it several times because it would have been crime to leave Charleston without getting a taste of it. It’s simple and easy to make it at home. I have included the recipe.
Fried green tomatoes make a great snack, in this case make good filling for sandwich. I only found one single green tomato and regretted immediately. It was enough for sandwiches but not enough for that extra snacking.
I have used arugula in my recipe for greens but I think original recipe had lettuce. I happen to have strawberry jelly, so I went ahead to use it. I know you would wonder why jam in your sandwich, but it tasted great in the original sandwich and I loved it. If you do not like sweetness, still slather just a little bit.
Same way pimentos, can be added more or less to your personal preference. You can actually double the recipe for pimento cheese, because they would make amazing grilled cheese sandwich. It can be easily stored in the refrigerator.
I had some time on hand, so I made homemade Focaccia. They make great sandwich bread. You don’t have to bake bread at home, use store bought if that’s what you have. I would highly suggest not to use regular everyday bread because it will become soggy and would not be easy to eat with the weight of tomatoes.
Please do try this easy recipe and let me know, if you like it or not in the comments.
Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
Ingredients
Fried Green Tomatoes
- 1 huge green tomato firm
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 -1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp herbs – oregano, parsley, crushed black pepper
- salt to taste
- Oil for frying
Pimento Cheese
- ¼ – 1/2 cup chopped pimento peppers comes in jar
- 1/2 cup orange cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup white cheddar or Monterey jack cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Sandwich
- 4 slices focaccia or ciabatta bread
- 2 tsp jelly or jam
- Handful arugula – any greens of your choice
- ½ cup pimento cheese
- 5-6 slices fried green tomatoes
Instructions
- Pre-heat up some oil at 325 F in a deep pot.
- Wash and cut green tomato in 1-inch thick slices (not too thin nor too thick)
- You should be able to get about 5-6 slices from one tomato.
- In a bowl, take flour, mix in the herbs and season it. Leave it aside.
- Take cornmeal in one bowl and in another small bowl, take buttermilk (check images).
- I added just a little pinch of salt in flour and cornmeal both. You want to make sure you do not add too much salt. You only want enough seasoning in the layers.
- Take slices of tomatoes one by one and drench them in flour then dip it in buttermilk and finally in cornmeal. Try to keep your hands clean. Use fork or small tongs.
- Line all slices on a tray.
- Once the oil is hot enough, deep fry the tomatoes slices on slow to medium heat.
- Remove them on a paper towel to soak up extra oil.
Pimento cheese
- Take all the ingredients in a bowl and mix everything to combine.
Assemble the sandwich
- Cut the focaccia or ciabatta in the middle, spread jam of your choice just a little bit on both sides of the bread.
- Spread pimento cheese on one side of the bread and place at least two slices of fried tomatoes in each sandwich. If you can fit more slice or want to add more, go ahead and do it.
- Place the arugula or any greens you are using on top of the fried tomatoes slices.
- Cover it with another side of bread. Cut it diagonally and serve it.
Notes
You can use any greens you like instead of arugula. Ice berg lettuce, kale etc would be really great.
The pimento cheese recipe might make extra than we will use. Did you try this recipe? Tag @pistachiodoughnut on Instagram and hashtag #pistachiodoughnutrecipes
XO, Devangi