Fried Green Tomatoes and Bacon Jam

This time of year, the tomato plants are still blooming and producing fruit, but that fruit will probably not ripen into the Summery ones we love.  But they can be turned into something almost as good-fried green tomatoes.  And one way I know to make fried green tomatoes better is with some bacon jam.

4 medium green tomatoes, sliced into 1/3" rounds
1 cup of buttermilk
1/4 cup hot sauce-I like Crystal
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup corn meal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
oil for frying

Mix the hot sauce into the buttermilk and soak the tomato slices.

Mix the corn meal, flour, salt, and pepper.

Drain the tomato slices and dredge in the corn meal mixture.

Fry the tomatoes in hot oil on both sides until they are golden brown and crispy.

Drain well on toweling before serving.

Bacon Jam

1 pound of bacon, cooked until crispy, drained and chopped.
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup strong coffee
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup

Combine all of the ingredients and simmer until the mixture is thick and syrupy.  Mixture can be blended to make a smoother mixture or left chunky-I usually leave it pretty chunky.