I had a good friend who passed a couple of years ago. The last movie we watched together was "Fried Green Tomatoes," a 1991 film based off the book "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" written by Fannie Flagg. The story chronicles the life of two women who lived, loved, laughed and found the meaning to life, all while cooking up the best fried green tomatoes you could find. The woman being told the story by the main character in the book becomes so empowered that she changes her whole life to live it to the fullest. To Wanda! she yells as she makes bold moves to upend everything she knew for the better.
Shortly after my friend passed, I found that I owned the book but had never read it. With Mary in mind, I dove into a book where I already knew the story, but found inspiration and a greater love of life upon finishing. In the back of the book, there is a list of recipes for the food they make in the story. There's chicken and dumplings, cornbread, coconut cream pie and of course fried green tomatoes. My friend loved to cook, often making videos of her and her wife cooking up their Italian fare to share with their friends and family. When I realized we had green tomatoes in this week's CSA, I knew I had to make them for Mary. I shy away from the camera and the kitchen but I knew I was making her proud for trying. Just like the woman who shouts "To Wanda!" to find her strength, I shout "To Mary!"
Though it's not the healthiest option and the book does have a yummy looking gravy recipe to add, it was fun to work in the kitchen with my wife to cook up these tasty morsels and find a real connection with the produce in our CSA box and the love that surrounds me. Watch the video to see the Fried Green Tomato cooking adventure in honor of my good friend Mary. Enjoy!
Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe from Fannie Flagg's Novel:
"1 medium green tomato (per person), Salt, Pepper, White Cornmeal, Bacon Drippings
Slice tomatoes about 1/4 inch thick, season with salt and pepper and then coat both sides with cornmeal. In a large skillet, heat enough bacon drippings to coat the bottom of the pan and fry tomatoes until lightly browned on both side.
You'll think you died and gone to heaven!"
