Fried Green Tomatoes in November?
- Robert Bellini
- Nov 2, 2016
- 3 min read
At this time of year when we look forward to cooking what the season has to offer, it's easy to think of pumpkins, gourds, pecans, and sweet potatoes. Preparing a favorite dish with local farm fresh produce makes it even more enjoyable. What foodie doesn't think of going to the green market, gathering a few exciting products from their trusted farmers and food artisans, then going home to make an incredible meal. Well, what about Fried Green Tomatoes. Fried Green Tomatoes?? That's summer isn't it? Well if you are looking for what's growing now, what's local and fresh, then yes, Green Tomatoes. At Swank Specialty Produce guess what? Their tomato patch is bursting with the most perfectly crisp and tart green tomatoes just waiting to be picked and enjoyed. Where you can easily find them is at the Swank Specialty Produce Stand in the West Palm Beach Green Market open every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm. Until the green tomatoes are gone of course. Jodi and Darrin Swank grow some of the most sought after hydro natural and organic greens, herbs, and vegetables for the most discerning chefs and customers all over south Florida. This past Saturday I visited Jodi and had to get her gorgeous green tomatoes and fragrant, spicy Wild Arugula. I couldn't WAIT to get home and prepare something. I decided I was going to make Fried Green Tomato Crostini. I love eating crostini at home. The simple fun of topping slices of a crusty baguette and creating a meal with a few special ingredients, SO Mediterranean!! Next stop was the GfoodZ stand. Their passion for healthy food and vibrant flavors are obvious as they produce outstanding wraps and fillings that are savory and delicious. Sonali, the owner of Gfoodz, had her mild colorful Black Bean Filling, and Spicy Potato Filling both just exploding with flavor. I decided on a jar of Black Bean Filling for my crostini. Great choice! You can't have crostini without a glorious artisan bread to slice up as the base. Importico's Bakery Café stand is inviting and a must stop. Did you ever say to yourself, "I wish there was a great bread bakery like we used to have when I was a kid?" Guess what! Importico's Bakery Cafe' is just that. The bread display alone is not only impressive, but showcases the real dedication they have for incredible artisan bread. These guys are so serious about baking the highest quality breads that they only use they're own natural levain, meaning they don't buy commercial yeast but make their own!! Their breads are baked with no sugar, oils, or dairy which makes them healthy and vegan friendly. I had to get the sesame covered perfectly browned Semolina baguette. It took all I had to not break off a piece on the way home!
How simple is it to put together these great crostinis? First, thinly slice your bread and either bake them at 350 on a baking sheet to toast a bit, or just set aside to be used as is, which I did. Now slice the green tomatoes about 1/2 inch thick, season them with salt and pepper, heat a saute' pan with olive oil, and sear the tomatoes on one side until you get a nice dark sear, abut two minutes, turn tomatoes over and just finish cooking for another minute. Your tomatoes should be cooked but firm. Slice tomatoes in half. Now its fun time. Construct your crostini as you wish. The Seared Green Tomato Crostini's pictured are, left, with GfoodZ Black Bean filling and shaved habanero cheddar cheese. Was awesome! Center crostini has a black fig preserve, Swank Farms Wild Arugula and grated Parmesan Cheese, on the right, Jalepano Cilantro Hummus and Wild Arugula. Any hummus goes perfectly with Seared Green Tomatoes as well. Get to the West Palm Beach Green Market and create your own culinary magic.
Please visit the following websites for more info on these great businesses and the West Palm Beach Green Market.