Green tomatoes may be a challenge to find depending on where you live, but it’s worth the effort. They have a distinct flavor and are what makes this dish go. Fried red tomatoes just don’t have the same ring to them, or flavor. As it turns out you’re getting some extra benefits from eating these tomatoes as well.
Green tomatoes are red tomatoes that didn’t get the chance to fully ripen. They’re rich in antioxidants and minerals, so just like many other Paleo foods there are inherent benefits to what you’re putting into your body.
Perhaps one of the biggest substitutions is with the oil you use to fry these up in. A traditional fried green tomato recipe wouldn’t be too discerning about which oil you use, even suggesting that you use plain old vegetable oil. But with Paleo we know that the oil you use matters a lot, and vegetable oil just doesn’t make the cut.
We recommend using olive oil or coconut oil to fry these in. Coconut oil will give it a slight coconut flavor, which depending on your tastes will or won’t detract from the overall experience, and could even heighten it. Both oils will provide healthy fat that will help you burn fat instead of store it, and both will provide you with a crispy and delicious coating to these tomatoes.
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One feature of my fried green tomatoes that you won’t find anywhere else is the sesame seeds that are built right into the coating. They give it additional flavor and crunch, as well as extra visual appeal.
One thing you’ll probably notice as you make these is that the steps are pretty much the same as when you make it the traditional way. It’s all about making the egg mix to dip the tomatoes into, having the flour mix ready to coat them, and then dropping them into the fry pan with the oil and frying them until they’re the right color.
That’s what I really love about Paleo. It’s not a drastic lifestyle change, but rather a subtle way of using different ingredients to get a similar result. The small tweaks produce food that is now suited for proper digestion and assimilation. It’s not diet food, but rather food that is better lined up with what our bodies are equipped to handle.
Ingredients
- 4 medium green tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 tbsp tapioca flour
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp oil
Directions
- Combine the almond flour, tapioca flour, cayenne pepper, oregano and salt in a pie plate. Beat the eggs in another pie plate. Place the sesame seeds in a third plate. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Press the tomato slices into the almond flour mixture, then dip into eggs. Shake off excess and dip again in almond flour mixture and beaten eggs. Then dip into the sesame seeds.
- Place 3-4 slices in a heated skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining tomato slices. Serve with pico de gallo.
Is there any substitution for the tapioca flour?
Hi there,
I have noticed you use eggs in a lot of the Paleo recipes and that is very frustrating as I am allergic to eggs, is there a way I can substitute the eggs? I have to say I’m celiac and allergic to diary and the Paleo diet is just right for me;
For frying or any high heat cooking, you should never recommend olive oil due to
the low smoke point. Olive oil can break down into carcinogenic compounds at relatively low heat.
We use “refined” avocado oil in our paleo diet for nearly everything these days. The smoke point is between 490 to 520 degrees. Even raw avocado oil has a much higher smoke point, but I recommend the refined oil which has a very mild, slightly nutty flavor. The avocado oil also will not congeal like olive oil when we use it in salad dressings when stored in the refrigerator. Avocado oil is at least as good for you as olive oil is and some say it is better for you.
Jeff
Tapioca flour raises my sugars too high is there any substitute