Green Tomatoes Have Their Own Merits (2024)

There are dozens of Fried Green Tomato recipes out there but for a healthier version, try this Grilled Green Tomatoes Caprese. Photo by Jennifer Davick; Styling by Lydia DeGaris Pursell - from Southern Living 2011

TEXARKANA, Ark. –

If you have visited the farmers market lately, you have seen trays of locally grown green tomatoes. Although you may have gone looking for red, do not despair. Even though they do not taste like red, ripe tomatoes, green tomatoes do have their own merits that deserve just as much attention as their red counterparts.

Ripe green tomatoes are a very good source of vitamins A, C and potassium. They also contain iron, calcium, dietary fiber, magnesium, and other minerals. Unripe (traditional red) tomatoes will not be as good a source for nutrients since they are not fully ripe. 1 cup of ripe green tomatoes is 41 calories; fat free, 9 grams of carbohydrates, including 2 fibers and 7 sugars, and 2 grams of protein.

Is there a difference in green tomatoes? Yes, there are two types of green tomatoes: unripe red tomatoes and those that are green when fully ripe. These are generally heirloom varieties, like Green Zebras and Green Moldavians, which are distinguishable from unripe red tomatoes. Real green tomatoes often have vertical stripes or other variations in the coloring. They will feel soft when pressed, and will taste much like a red tomato, possibly slightly sweet or spicy depending on the variety.

Unripe red tomatoes that are green when ripe will be pale green all over, feel nearly solid and will have a more acidic or tart flavor. Nearly ripe green tomatoes (ones that feel soft) may be ripened in a paper bag on the counter top.

When you hear the word green tomatoes, your mind may immediately go to fried green tomatoes since they are a part of our Southern Food Culture. These were made famous by the movie of the same name, and are often served in southern restaurants as a side or a topping for sandwiches and burgers. Their tangy flavor and crisp texture is a fresh perspective on the tomatoes we all know and love.

Do you like eating green tomatoes? If so, what do you do with them? There are dozens of Fried Green Tomato Recipes out there, so instead try this recipe for Grilled Green Tomatoes Caprese, featured in the 2011 Southern Living Cookbook. If you already have brown balsamic vinegar use it instead of buying white.

Grilled Green Tomatoes Caprese

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

4 medium-size green tomatoes, cut into one fourth inch-thick slices (about 2 lb.)

1 (16-oz.) package sliced fresh mozzarella cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

In a large zip top bag, combine first 5 ingredients; add tomatoes, seal, and shake gently to coat. Chill 1 hour. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Remove tomatoes from marinade, reserving marinade. Grill tomatoes, covered with grill lid, 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until tender and grill marks appear. Arrange alternating slices of warm grilled tomatoes and mozzarella cheese on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle with reserved marinade; season with saltand pepper to taste. Sprinkle with basil.

For more information, contact the Miller County Extension Office, 870-779-3609 or visit us in room 215 at the Miller County Courthouse. We're online at cdue@uada.edu, on Facebook at UAEXMillerCountyFCS/Car

By Carla Due
County Extension Agent - FCS
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Carla Due
County Extension Agent - FCS
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
400 Laurel Street, Suite 215 Texarkana AR 71854
(870) 779-3609
cdue@uada.edu

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Green Tomatoes Have Their Own Merits (2024)

FAQs

Should I pick green tomatoes that won't ripen? ›

Consider picking and ripening your green tomatoes indoors to give them a fighting chance. If you're seeing a bit of red on those green tomatoes, picking them individually and bringing them inside may be the best chance for ripening tomatoes. Like many fruits, tomatoes continue to ripen once they've been picked.

How long does it take from a green tomato to turn red? ›

Understanding the Chemistry of Tomato Plants

Twenty to 30 days later, there will be green tomatoes that should grow to maturity. Once the tomato is full size, it takes about 20-30 days for the full-size green tomato to turn red.

Is eating green tomatoes good for you? ›

Even though they do not taste like red, ripe tomatoes, green tomatoes do have their own merits that deserve just as much attention as their red counterparts. Ripe green tomatoes are a very good source of vitamins A, C and potassium. They also contain iron, calcium, dietary fiber, magnesium, and other minerals.

Will picked green tomatoes ripen on the counter? ›

If you've brought slightly under-ripe tomatoes home from the farmers market or hauled some inside from your garden, leaving them on the counter will allow them to slowly ripen on their own.

Will picked green tomatoes ripen in the sun? ›

It seems counterintuitive, but direct sunlight is not needed to ripen tomatoes. In fact, tomatoes on the vine outdoors and exposed to direct sunlight can heat up which inhibits ripening or even causes sunscald.

Will completely green tomatoes ripen off the vine? ›

Can Tomatoes Ripen off the Vine? It's possible to ripen green tomatoes indoors as long as they've been kept at room temperature. Tomatoes start the ripening process on the vine and continue to ripen after they've been picked because they produce a gas called ethylene.

How to tell if green tomatoes are ripe? ›

This colour change is usually easy to recognise on ripe fruits. If you are unsure or have chosen a fully green variety, press lightly on the fruit a little with your fingers. If the fruit yields slightly and feels soft, it is ready to harvest.

What can I do with green tomatoes at the end of the season? ›

Here are just some ideas of what to do with green tomatoes:
  1. Green tomato chutney.
  2. Fried green tomatoes.
  3. Pickled green tomatoes.
  4. Curried green tomatoes.
  5. Air fried green tomatoes.
  6. Roasted green tomatoes.
  7. Green tomato chilli.
  8. Green tomato salad.
Mar 1, 2022

Can you eat green tomatoes raw? ›

There is a higher presence of this Solanina toxin in green tomatoes than in ripe red tomatoes, making it harder to digest for humans. Therefore it is recommended to cook them in order to sweeten the taste, de-neutralizing the Solanina that causes the bitterness in raw green tomatoes.

What month are tomatoes ready to pick? ›

Tomatoes reach their peak harvest times between the months of July and September, but there are a couple of options when it comes to the optimal time to pick these juicy, sweet veggies. Ideally, they can be harvested at their prime or earlier, as they are capable of ripening after picking.

Can you eat too many green tomatoes? ›

Green, thus unripe tomatoes contain a substance called tomatine in addition to solanine. Both tomatine and solanine are toxic so it is not wise to eat green tomatoes in large quantities. Solanine poisoning can cause unpleasant symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness and lethargy.

What color tomato is the healthiest? ›

That said, some varieties are naturally higher in this healthy antioxidant compound than others. Here are a few lycopene-rich tomato varieties to try: 'Crimson Cherry': Of all the tomatoes, cherry and roma varieties are the highest in lycopene, and, for us, Crimson Cherry comes top of the heap.

Are fried green tomatoes just unripe tomatoes? ›

Southern-style fried green tomatoes are the crisp, tangy, and boldly savory appetizer you should be making all year. This classic, down-home dish features sliced unripe tomatoes that are dredged in flour and cornmeal before being skillet-fried to buttery-brown perfection.

What to do with tomatoes that won't ripen? ›

Expose Them to Ethylene

"Other mature fruits like apples and bananas also emit ethylene, so if you want to ripen mature tomatoes off the vine, store them in a bag with an apple."

Why are my tomatoes staying green on top? ›

Hard green areas on the 'shoulder' of the fruit: This is known as greenback. These areas remain hard and unpalatable as the rest of the fruit ripens. The causes are usually excess light, high temperatures, and/or insufficient feeding.

Is it safe to eat tomatoes that are green inside? ›

The good news is that even if you eat a hard-as-a-rock green tomato, you'll probably survive. You may not even get a bellyache—but you might.

References

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