Fried Green Tomatoes

Ingredients:

5 medium green tomatoes

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper

1/2 cup shortening

Directions:

Select tomatoes that have the whitish look they get just before turning pink. Cut the tomatoes crosswise about 1/4" - 1/2" thick slices. In a medium bowl, mix the cornmeal, salt and pepper. Roll the tomato slices in the mixture. Heat the shortening in a skillet until it is sizzling hot. Put the rolled tomato slices in the hot oil and cook quickly until they are browned on the underside. Turn the tomatoes over carefully, reduce heat and cook until thoroughly hot and soft through the center. Drain on paper towels. Do not stack the tomatoes on top of each other in the pan. Cook one batch at a time until finished. Yields 4 servings.