With one bite of these zesty vegan fried green tomatoes, you will be transported to the Whistle Stop Cafe! Your tastebuds will thank you.
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The Story: Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
Based on Fannie Flagg’s 1987 novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Jon Avnet’s Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) is an American comedy-drama that chronicles the lives and loves of vivacious women with Southern roots.
On a routine visit to the local nursing home where her husband’s surly aunt resides, Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates) happens upon Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy). Ninny captivates the unhappy housewife with tales of woe and wonder from her youth in Alabama. Like a train changing tracks, the narrative’s timeline switches between Ninny’s story, set between the World Wars, and Evelyn’s life in 1980s Birmingham.
Ninny fondly recalls an intimate friendship between her rebellious sister-in-law Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth (Mary-Louise Parker). When tragedy strikes, Idgie isolates herself from friends and family alike. Not a soul can break through her walls. Ruth, never taking no for an answer, finds another way. She stands by Idgie’s side and shares the burden of pain. They find solace in each other.
When Ruth leaves Whistle Stop for Georgia and marries Frank Bennett, their friendship is put to the test. Distance and time nearly separate the pair for good. On a whim, Idgie drives to Valdosta with hopes of reconnection. She is shocked upon finding Ruth pregnant and trapped in an abusive relationship. The women escape to their hometown, raise Buddy Jr., and open the Whistle Stop Cafe. With the help of Sipsey (Cicely Tyson) and her son Big George (Stan Shaw), they obtain monumental success. Loyal locals flock to the restaurant, filling their stomachs and hearts with goodness. Even during the most difficult times, Whistle Stop’s community rallies behind their fearless leaders.
As Idgie and Ruth transform, so does Evelyn. Week by week, she returns to the nursing home for story time with Ninny. Evelyn no longer settles for less and gains the confidence to turn her life around. TOWANDA!! (I promise, when you watch the movie, that phrase will make more sense.)
My Take
I adore this movie for many reasons:
- The all-star cast! Jessica Tandy is pure magic. She clearly poured her heart and soul into the character of Ninny. Kathy Bates nails every comedic beat while inciting empathy. Thanks to Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker, the bond between Idgie and Ruth is seemingly unbreakable. Although supporting, Cicely Tyson, Chris O’Donnell (Buddy), and Stan Shaw strongly round out the cast.
- The small-town locations! I grew up in Georgia, so it was a treat to “travel back in time”.
- Authenticity! This story is not all peaches and cream. Periods of great tragedy and sorrow are delicately interwoven with moments of comedic relief.
- The food! Southern homestyle cooking? Yes, please!!! I will never say no to fresh cobbler or fried green tomatoes. Speaking of which…
The Recipe: Zesty Vegan Fried Green Tomatoes
While watching the film, one can’t help but crave fried green tomatoes… Trust me! Do yourself a favor and whip these babies up. I can never get enough!
Zesty Vegan Fried Green Tomatoes
Equipment
- Cup or Mason Jar
- Knife
- Paper Towels
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Wooden or Plastic Spoon
- Mixing Bowls (2)
- Small Bowl, for salt and pepper
- Prep Plates
- Skillet
- Blender
- Sauce Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Fried Green Tomatoes
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to make vegan buttermilk)
- 4 large green tomatoes
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons JUST Egg (vegan egg replacement)
- salt & black pepper (to taste)
Special Sauce
- ½ cup vegan mayo (Follow Your Heart is the BEST)
- 4 teaspoons pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 deseeded deli-style pickle
Instructions
Fried Green Tomatoes
- Prepare the vegan buttermilk. Combine the non-dairy milk and fresh lemon juice. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes in a covered cup or mason jar. Wait for it to curdle.1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 cup non-dairy milk
- Meanwhile, slice your green tomatoes about ¼" thick. Lay them out to dry in between two paper towels.4 large green tomatoes
- Next, whisk together the flour and Cajun seasoning in one bowl. Add the cornmeal and breadcrumbs to a second.1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, ¾ cup cornmeal, ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- After 10 minutes, stir your homemade vegan buttermilk and JUST Egg (vegan egg replacement) into the flour bowl.2 tablespoons JUST Egg
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on each tomato slice. Dip each one in the flour and vegan buttermilk mixture. Generously coat in a combination of cornmeal and breadcrumbs. Repeat for each tomato slice. Set aside on a prep plate.salt & black pepper
- Heat your skillet up with the vegetable oil for frying. Fry each slice on medium-high heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.¼ cup vegetable oil
- Spread out the tomatoes on paper towels to soak up the excess oil.
- Drizzle with special sauce, lemon juice and/or Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper for a fiery kick in memory of Idgie herself!
Special Sauce
- Combine the vegan mayo, pickle juice, ketchup, mustard, sriracha, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl.½ cup vegan mayo, 4 teaspoons pickle juice, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 2 teaspoons yellow mustard, 2 teaspoons sriracha, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 deseeded deli-style pickle, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Deseed and chop a deli pickle.
- Blend all of the ingredients together! Tangy and delicious.
Notes
- Tip: If you notice any burnt bits (leftover breading or the like) in your skillet, immediately remove them with a spoon! Then, you can continue frying your tomatoes.
- My NEW favorite vegan egg replacer is JUST Egg. It scrambles just like an egg!
- Sometimes, simple is best. A drizzle of lemon and Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper takes the fried green tomatoes to another level.
JOANN SMOLEN
Love Fried Green Tomatoes. This is one of my most favorite southern foods. Being from the south this a staple. When I tried the vegan version I was shocked on how good it was.
reeldishes
Thank you! Fried green tomatoes are so delicious. I can’t get enough of the crunchy texture and zesty seasoning myself.