Can I Fry Tomatillos Like Fried Green Tomatoes?

Frying tomatillos can be a fun and unique way to enjoy these small, delicate fruits, especially if you're craving something similar to fried green tomatoes but with a twist. However, it's essential to understand the differences between tomatillos and green tomatoes, which can impact their suitability for frying.

Choosing the Right Tomatillos

The first step in frying tomatillos is choosing the right ones. Most varieties of tomatillos remain green even when ripe, so opt for firm and young specimens. As they ripen, tomatillos become softer and sweeter, making them ideal for sauces, enchiladas, or pork dishes, but not appropriate for frying. Slice them and test the texture; if they remain firm, they are perfect for frying.

Mimicking Fried Green Tomatoes

You can apply a similar preparation method to tomatillos as you would to fried green tomatoes, but be prepared for the extra labor involved. Given the smaller size of tomatillos, the frying process requires more attention and possibly different techniques. Although you can batter-fry tomatillos or coat them with cornmeal, the task can be more labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Preparing Tomatillos for Frying

To fry tomatillos, start by selecting the largest ones available. Large tomatillos will result in fewer tomatillo chips and will likely yield better results. Here's a recipe to make a tasty and unique snack:

Ingredients:

Large tomatillos Cayenne pepper Bread crumbs or cornmeal Oil for frying Cilantro Jalape?os, sliced Pickled carrots Ranch dressing

Instructions:

Wash and slice the tomatillos into large pieces. Prepare a batter or cornmeal mixture with cayenne pepper for seasoning. Dip each tomatillo piece in the batter or cornmeal mixture. Heat oil to a medium-high temperature, around 350°F (175°C). Fry the tomatillos until golden brown and crispy. Drain the fried tomatillos on a paper towel. Prepare a cilantro-spiked ranch style dipping sauce. On the side, prepare a dish with sliced jalape?os and pickled carrots to offer a contrasting twist to the spicy tomatillos. Serve the fried tomatillos with the cooling dipping sauce and the pickled carrots and jalape?os.

This combination of spicy, fried tomatillos and a refreshing, cooling sauce makes for a fun and gustatory delight at any party or gathering.

While the flavor of fried tomatillos won't be the same as fried green tomatoes, they offer a unique and tasty experience. Enjoy this innovative approach to cooking tomatillos!