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 tomatoes in frying pan

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).

Ingredients for fried tomatoes

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
Tomatoes fried in frying pan

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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4.88 from 78 votes

Garlic Fried Tomatoes

Suzy Karadsheh of The Mediterranean Dish. In the kitchenSuzy Karadsheh
Fried tomatoes topped with mint and minced garlic
Simple olive oil fried tomatoes with fresh garlic and mint. Serve these warm or at room temperature with your favorite bread (or pita) to mop up the delicious juices.
Prep – 5 minutes
Cook – 20 minutes
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Middle Easter
Serves – 4 people
Course:
Appetizer, Side

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. 

Nutrition

Calories: 152.7kcalCarbohydrates: 7.3gProtein: 1.6gFat: 13.8gSaturated Fat: 1.9gSodium: 298.4mgPotassium: 321.8mgFiber: 1.6gSugar: 3.3gVitamin A: 1025.3IUVitamin C: 19.2mgCalcium: 26.2mgIron: 0.5mg
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I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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4.88 from 78 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Denise K. O'Connor says:

    Can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks so good.

  2. Cat says:

    5 stars
    My husband and I completely enjoy every recipe of yours that we have tried so far. I am certain this will be no different! I look forward to trying it. And, as always, THANK YOU!

  3. Annette says:

    This recipe looks delicious and I will definitely try it. I cook most nights and always share a plate with my neighbor, a senior.

    1. Suzy says:

      That is very sweet of you, Annette! Hope you both enjoy this recipe :).

    2. Mel says:

      Annette, ..So generous of you..Well done..😘😘

  4. Brad says:

    5 stars
    Would be interested in adapting these into a pizza recipe.

    1. Suzy says:

      Great idea!!! If you do, I’d love to hear how it turns out!

  5. Susan Thames says:

    Those tomatoes look delicious!

  6. Margaret Bennetts says:

    I love tomatoes and with the olive oil, mint and garlic, this dish was a real winner enjoyed by all. Thank you

  7. Nicole says:

    Is there a sub for the chili’s? Or can I leave them out? I can never seem to find these where I live.

    1. Suzy says:

      Hi, Nicole! You can just substitute with another pepper you enjoy.

  8. Erin says:

    Looking forward to trying this one. All of your recipes have turned out so nicely for me.

    1. Suzy says:

      That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you, Erin!

  9. Pam Warner says:

    This sounds delicious and I love tomatoes and I love garlic. I will serve this to my family.

  10. Lisa Wootters says:

    This looks amazing an all my favorite flavors!

  11. Frances says:

    5 stars
    This looks amazing and can’t wait to try it!!!

  12. Vickie Newton says:

    Ooo! Looks like a keeper. Growing tomatoes now. I will sure try this when I start getting tomatoes!

  13. missy winkworth says:

    this looks delicious! i have always wanted to make fried green tomatoes but never find any!

  14. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    This sounds delicious and I can’t wait to try it. We have made so many of your recipes and have never been disappointed! Best flavors ever!

  15. Ragna says:

    5 stars
    Looking forward to trying it and the books sounds amazing. I will make and share it with my husband and son who love healthy food like this.

  16. Mary says:

    Thank you, Suzy, for sharing a recipe that you found in someone else’s book and knew it hit all the right chords.
    Looks sooo appetizing and will be a great meze to getting the party started, right?!