Spicy Fried Green Tomato Bites

Time to get rid of those mundane cheese trays and soggy chips and dips.  There’s a new appetizer in town this summer!  Right about now, your tomato plants are falling over with green tomatoes.  If you are like most of us, you’ve planted more tomatoes than you will be able to consume.  Don’t wait for your Roma’s to turn red and fall off the bush.  Think outside the salad....and the marinara sauce.     Soaked in buttermilk and chiles; fried and sprinkled with parmesan cheese; and served with herb mustard.  Mmmm.  A light-hearted appetizer, these bite-sized fried tomatoes are great paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris.

Spicy Fried Roma Tomato Bites Recipe
Ingredients:

10 large green Roma tomatoes, 1/2-inch slices

1 large jalapeno or other chile pepper, sliced

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

1 cup bread crumbs

salt 

cayenne pepper (for additional heat, if desired)

canola oil

parmesan cheese, grated
herb mustard

jalapeno pepper, sliced diagonally for garnish

Preparation:

Slice tomatoes into 1/2-inch slices and jalapenos into 1/4-inch slices.  Put into a medium-sized flat bowl.  Add buttermilk, and refrigerate overnight.

In another bowl, mix bread crumbs, salt and pepper.  Heat canola oil in a medium skillet.  Drain tomatoes and toss in bread crumb mixture.  Fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.  Drain on a paper towel.  Arrange on a serving dish and dust with grated parmesan cheese and herb mustard.  Garnish with sliced jalapenos.