Fried tomatoes, gently cooked in extra virgin olive oil and flavored with garlic, chili pepper bits, and a sprinkle of fresh mint. This vegan and gluten free tomato recipe is great as mezze or side with your favorite bread to sop up the delicious juices!
Today’s recipe is from The Arabesque Table: Contemporary Recipes from the Arab World by Reem Kassis.
Living in Atlanta, I know and love the iconic fried green tomatoes of the South–firm, slightly tangy, and covered in a crispy bread crumb topping. They are a delicious time-honored southern treat, and definitely worth a try!
But today, I’m sharing about a different fried tomato recipe that is closer to home for me: fried red tomatoes! Here, tomato halves gently cooked in olive oil and flavored with loads of garlic, chili pepper bits, and a sprinkle of fresh mint.
This recipe is from Reem Kassis’ latest book The Arabesque Table. I’ve had a copy of this book, featuring contemporary recipes from the Arab world, since early April and I have not been able to put it down! Not only is it a collection of delicious and approachable recipes anyone can make, but it encompasses the cuisine of the entire Arabic diaspora, from the first recorded recipe to the present. And through meticulous research and authentic storytelling, Reem has connected the dots across continents, cultures, and generations.
Fried red tomatoes
This is one of the simplest tomato recipes you’ll come across, but it boasts some bold flavors! There is no dredging or breading at all, making this recipe gluten free and vegan…and easy (less dishes to clean is always a plus).
To make this recipe, large fleshy red tomatoes are sliced in half through the equator, then gently pan fried in good extra virgin olive oi until tender.
And as the tomatoes cook, they will soften, oozing out some delicious juices that are infused with flavor from three simple ingredients: Garlic (lots of it), hot chilies (Reem recommends green chilies, but I had red so that is what I used).
What kind of tomatoes are best for frying?
Most people use large green tomatoes for frying. In this recipe, readily available large red tomatoes will work better. Large heirloom tomatoes of different colors are also great for frying using this same recipe, they will give you the most impressive presentation!
How to select tomatoes?
Whatever large tomatoes you decide to use, look for:
- Smooth skin without blemishes
- Tomatoes that are heavier for their size, this means they are on the juicy side
- Firm enough but have some give when squeezed gently. But don’t worry, if you have some tomatoes that are a little more on the ripe side they will still work in this particular recipe
To Serve
For the perfect appetizer, serve these fried tomatoes with your favorite bread (I used pita). If you like, make these tomatoes the center of a Middle Eastern mezze table with other small plates like hummus, batata harra (spicy potatoes), kibbeh, or even za’atar manakish.
You can also serve them as a vegetarian side dish next to your favorite fish, grilled chicken, or lamb chops.
To store leftover fried tomatoes
I’ve made this recipe a few times now, and we never have leftovers. But if you do, you can lightly mash the cooked tomatoes with a fork or blitz in the blender and use in recipes that call for tomato sauce. Frozen leftovers will last for 2 months.
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Garlic Fried Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 large vine ripe tomatoes, about 2 1/2 lb
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 10 garlic cloves, finely chopped (not crushed). See note*
- 2 to 3 fresh green chilies, finely chopped (I used red chilies as that is what I had on hand)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Small bunch of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried mint
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, slice each tomato horizontally in half (through the equator).
- Arrange the tomato halves cut-side down in a frying pan large enough to fit the pieces snugly. Pour the olive oil over the tomatoes and set the pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Flip the tomatoes over and scatter half the garlic and chilies on the tomatoes and the other half in the oil (in the pan). Sprinkle with the salt, cover the pan, reduce the heat, and cook until the tomatoes have started to soften but still retain their shape, about 15 minutes. Check on the tomatoes several times while cooking and, tilting the pan, spoon some of the oil mixture over the tomatoes, cover the pan and cook for another minute or two.
- When almost done, sprinkle the mint over the tomatoes, cover the, and cook for another minute or two.
- Remove from the heat and serve immediately with fresh bread to mop up the delicious juices.
Notes
- Serve these fried tomatoes with a loaf of your favorite bread or homemade pita.
- If 10 garlic cloves seems too much for your taste, you can start with half the amount.
- Leftovers: leftovers can be lightly mashed with a fork or blitzed in a blender and used as a tomato sauce base for any recipe calling for it. Frozen leftovers will keep for 2 months.
- Visit Our Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils and spices.
- This recipe is from The Arabesque Table by Reem Kassis with permission from the author and publisher.
Turned out terrible and mushy. Would not recommend
Delicious when your garden is overflowing with tomatoes. Easy and so tasty. I used a jalapeno and cherry bomb pepper for the wonderful kick. Loved it!
Yum!
This was simple and wonderful. What a tasty and healthy side dish to use up the abundance of garden tomatoes.Kids and adults alike loved it. I’m pretty sure it is on the menu for tomorrow night as well!
Delicious thanks Suzy! The most surprising flavour was the Mint (rather than the traditional Basil etc) it just capped off a super tasty Dinner. It is a pity we cannot upload photos here, but I’ve done so and #you on Instagram. BUT I’ve also used your ‘Chicken Caprese’ recipe too with and this one, for inspiration to make a beautiful healthy Pizza! I layered the pizza base with the Basil Pesto, then slices of Mozzarella, the Garlic Tomatoes and finally some sliced Mushrooms half grilled in naughty butter, with the Mint. This describes my Bride’s pizza whereas my pizza also had the anchovies with the mushrooms on top (just magic)! Superb recipes again! Cheers
Wow! So glad you’re having fun with and enjoying the recipes!
So delicious! We used homegrown tomatoes. I added a little fresh lemon basil in with the mint as well, just because…. What I love about this recipe is that it’s versatile. Throw a little panko bread crumbs on top if you want or add some parmesan cheese. This is definitely a keeper!
Yum! Thanks, Kim!
Simply Magnificent and Magnificently Simple! Great flavours and ingredients. Inspired by your Chicken Caprese recipe I had the idea to combine these fried garlic tomatoes on a layer of Naan bread with Basil Pesto as the base and then a slice of Mozzarella under each piece of fried tomato. Superb mini-Pizzas! Cheers
Thank you, Michael!
ohmygosh delicious!!!!
These tomatoes were divine, I used fresh ones we harvested and it was the best side for dinner!! I will be most definitely using this recipe again!!
Thanks, Lily!
So yummy and fresh. Will be making it again with my garden tomatoes.
Enjoy!
Yummy! These fried tomatoes are so delicious and very tasty! We have homegrown tomatoes in our garden and this recipe was perfect to use them. Can’t wait to make these again!
Loved these! They went perfect with a big salad and homemade bread. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Allison!
I’m Greek and make this dish often….it’s delicious. My only recommendation would be is to make sure the garlic is fully cooked….almost melted, to get the sweet garlic flavor. As I see the garlic in these photos, it appears to be nearly raw, which would not be a pleasant bite. I melt mine slowly…very slowly so as not to brown or burn…….in olive oil and a bit of butter.
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Cindy!
Love it. I was a tad bit lazy and threw in all in the oven. It was incredible! Hubby loved it! Will now be on a frequent rotation!
My 15yo son asks for these daily. Great recipe!
Awesome! Thanks, Jen!
Whoa, Suzy! These tomatoes are amazing! My husband loved them and he is rarely effusive. I served them with grilled rib eye and salmon. Lots of baguette to sop up the juice. I didn’t have any chiles so I used red pepper flakes and it was delicious. I didn’t have mint but my basil is abundant so I used that. Once my garden tomatoes start to ripen I will be making this often, it is so easy. Love your recipes!
Thank you so much, Lisa.