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
Units
Ingredients
- 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.
Janene says
Thank you for sharing this. I was desperate to find an easy recipe for all the green tomatoes we have.
Marc Matsumoto says
You're welcome Janene! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
mike says
Awesome recipe--I'm always looking for things to do with green tomatoes. But after 10-15 mins. at 450 the tomatoes were still a bit crunchy for my taste (though with the sauce it almost doesn't matter), so I threw them back in the oven at a little lower temp to stew a bit more.
Thomas Abraham says
Bookmarked! Another recipe I cant wait to try. <3 Fried green tomatoes, wish you would post the green tomato relish you spoke of.
Marc Matsumoto says
Yep, just normal tomatoes that aren't yet ripe. That take of a very different character from ripe tomatoes. Firm, tart, and with a much more vegetal flavour.
Marc Matsumoto says
The forecast here says it's going back down in temp tomorrow, so hopefully it will last for a while.
I think it's an ordinary beefsteak tomato.
Marc Matsumoto says
Flavour is more "green" than a red tomato. It's less sweet, more tart, not as wet and it cooks nicely because it is much firmer.