Green Tomato Pie - Brenda Gantt (2024)

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Brenda Gantt

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• By recipeshub_R
• September 14, 2023

Green Tomato Pie is a unique and flavorful dessert that transforms unripe, tangy tomatoes into a sweet and comforting pie filling. This recipe offers a creative way to utilize green tomatoes, especially when the growing season comes to a close and you have an abundance of unripe fruit left on the vine. Green Tomato Pie is a delightful combination of tartness and sweetness, encased in a flaky pie crust. Whether you’re seeking a novel way to use green tomatoes from your garden or simply want to explore the flavors of a less conventional pie, this recipe will guide you through the process while delving into the history of green tomatoes in culinary traditions.

INGREDIENTS

For the Pie Filling:

• 4 cups sliced green tomatoes (about 4-5 medium-sized green tomatoes)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Pie Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 6-8 tablespoons ice water

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Pie Crust:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the salt.
2. Cut in Cold Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You should have small, pea-sized pieces of butter throughout the dough.
3. Add Ice Water: Gradually add the ice water, starting with 6 tablespoons. Gently stir the mixture with a fork until the dough begins to come together. Add additional ice water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed, until the dough holds together when pressed.
4. Form the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a clean, floured surface. Divide it into two equal portions and form each portion into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the dough is chilled and firm.

For the Pie Filling:

1. Prepare the Tomatoes: Wash and slice the green tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place them in a large bowl.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
3. Combine Ingredients: Sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture over the sliced green tomatoes. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Gently toss everything together until the tomatoes are evenly coated.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roll Out the Pastry: Remove one of the chilled dough disks from the refrigerator. On a floured surface, roll it out into a circle large enough to fit your pie dish.
3. Transfer to Pie Dish: Carefully lift the rolled-out pastry and gently drape it over your pie dish. Press it into the bottom and sides of the dish, allowing any excess to overhang.
4. Fill the Pie: Pour the prepared green tomato filling into the pie crust. Dot the filling with small cubes of unsalted butter.
5. Roll Out the Top Crust: Roll out the second chilled dough disk into a circle large enough to cover the pie. You can leave it whole or create a lattice or other decorative design.
6. Seal and Vent: Trim any excess pastry hanging over the edge of the pie dish and seal the edges by crimping with a fork or your fingers. Make a few small slits or decorative cutouts in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
7. Bake: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
8. Cool: Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack before serving. It’s delicious warm or at room temperature and can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

NOTE:

• Green Tomato Pie is a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of home cooks who found ways to make the most of their garden harvests. This pie embodies the tradition of using green tomatoes in a sweet and tangy filling, making it a delightful and unexpected dessert for any time of the year.