Knuckle Sandwich

• Recipe by Steve Corry

This is Steve Corry’s fun variation on a New England lobster roll. He flavors delicious meaty lobster salad with basil, chives and lemon zest, then sandwiches it between crispy, tart slices of fried green tomatoes instead of bread. The whimsical name only adds to the appeal.

Ingredients

1. 1 ear of corn, shucked
2. One 2-pound lobster
3. 1 small garlic clove, mashed
4. Salt
5. 1/3 cup mayonnaise
6. 2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
7. 2 tablespoons snipped chives
8. 2 tablespoons minced red onion
9. 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
10. Freshly ground pepper
11. 1 cup all-purpose flour
12. 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
13. 2 large eggs
14. 1/4 cup milk
15. 8 large 1/2-inch-thick slices of green tomato or extra-large tomatillos
16. 1 cup vegetable oil

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Add the corn to the pot and boil for 2 minutes, until glossy. Let cool, then cut the kernels from the cob.
2. Return the water to a boil and add the lobster. Cook over high heat for 13 minutes, just until the lobster turns red. Immediately plunge the lobster into the ice water to cool. Twist off the tail and claws. Crack the shells and remove the meat. Cut four 1/2-inch-thick slices from the tail and another 4 from a claw and reserve for garnish. Coarsely chop the remaining lobster.
3. In a medium bowl, using the back of a spoon, mash the garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt. Add the mayonnaise, basil, chives, onion, lemon zest and a generous pinch of pepper. Fold in the chopped lobster and the corn and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
4. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour with the smoked paprika and a generous pinch of salt. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and season with salt and pepper. Dredge the green tomato slices in the flour mixture, tapping off the excess. Dip the slices in the egg mixture and then in the flour again.
5. In a large skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the tomato slices and fry over high heat, turning once, until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt.
6. Transfer 4 fried tomato slices to plates. Top with the lobster salad and another fried tomato; press lightly to compact the sandwiches. Garnish the knuckle sandwiches with the reserved lobster pieces and serve right away.

Make Ahead

The lobster salad can be refrigerated overnight.