Green Tomato Gratin

With the weather up in the 80's in Tokyo this week, it really feels like we've blown through spring and headed straight into summer. To reassure my senses that the withering heat of summer is still a few weeks off, I picked up some springy green tomatoes at the local vegetable stand for a Green Tomato Gratin. Whether it's peaches, papaya or mangoes, I have a penchant for unripe fruit, and green tomatoes are no exception.

For me, unripe fruit isn't just a consequence of corporate farming, it's a unique ingredient with its own texture and unique flavor profile that can be delicious when properly prepared. Traditional Japanese ume are made using unripe apricots; the brining process not only preserves the fruit, it imparts a unique flavor cherished in Japanese cuisine. It's also a fun challenge to come up with with new ways of using a familiar ingredient in an unfamiliar form. I first made this green tomato gratin years ago when I still lived in New York, and and it's since become a favorite when these firm, verdant jewels of spring are available in markets.

The rich mornay sauce provides the perfect contrast to the tart, fragrant green tomatoes. When baked in the oven, the two meld together, creating a well-balanced side dish with a crisp, flavorful topping, tart, juicy fruit, and rich, savory sauce that goes beautifully with grilled meat. It also makes for a delightfully decadent breakfast when served with some poached eggs and toast.

It's not always easy to find green tomatoes in the market, but don't pass them up when you do. This easy recipe will have you seeking them out. Or maybe you can try your hand at growing them yourself. You'll be able to start enjoying the harvest that much sooner.

📖 Recipe

Green Tomato Gratin

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Yield 2 servings

Units

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 300 grams green tomatoes (sliced ¼" thick)

breadcrumb topping

• ½ cup panko
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon celery seeds
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

mornay sauce

• 1 tablespoon cultured unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cups heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 50 grams Comté cheese

Instructions

• Put the oven rack in the middle position and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• To make the topping, mix the panko, onion powder, celery seeds, salt and pepper until everything is evenly distributed, then drizzle on the olive oil and stir to combine.
  
• To make the mornay sauce, put the butter and flour in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture is bubbly, but do not let the flour brown.
  
• Turn the heat down, then whisk in the cream until the mixture is free of lumps and it starts to thicken.
  
• Once the sauce thickens, add the salt and stir in the cheese a little bit at a time until it is all incorporated. The mornay sauce will be very thick, but this is okay since the the tomatoes will release a lot of water.
  
• Arrange the sliced green tomatoes and mornay sauce in layers in an oven safe dish, then spread any remaining sauce on top of the green tomatoes.
  
• Sprinkle the panko topping evenly over the top of the tomatoes and place the dish in the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling, the tomatoes are tender, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
  

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Nutrition

Calories 519kcalCarbohydrates 23gProtein 12gFat 44gSaturated Fat 23gPolyunsaturated Fat 3gMonounsaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 0.2gCholesterol 107mgSodium 746mgPotassium 421mgFiber 2gSugar 9gVitamin A 2263IUVitamin C 36mgCalcium 271mgIron 2mg