BY PATSY R. BRUMFIELD – THE SOUTHFACIN’ COOK  

If you’ve never tried green tomatoes, it’s time. Including them in a BLT is delicious.

Of course, fried green tomatoes are iconic Southern food and we’ll go into those another week, but I like to grill them for side dishes and especially for these sandwiches. I think  you’ll agree.

EQUIPMENT

• bread knife
• chopping board
• griddle
• spatula
• baking sheet

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large or 2 small green tomatoes per person
• thick-sliced bacon
• your favorite bread (I like wheat), toasted
• homemade mayonnaise (see earlier recipe)
• hummus (see earlier recipe)
• Lettuce or chopped raw spinach
• Salt, pepper

LET’S GET STARTED

Wash tomatoes. Slice them 1/4 inch thick. Place them on baking dish. Sprinkle salt, pepper on one side.

Heat your griddle to medium-high. When it’s ready, place raw bacon slices to cook. Allow at least 3 pieces per sandwich. When crisp, move to paper towels to soak up grease.

Wipe your griddle slightly, but leave some of bacon fat for flavor. Place tomato slices onto griddle. Set timer for 5 minutes. This ought to be enough time to brown one side.

Turn and repeat.

After about 3 minutes, stick a few with a fork to feel how well they are softening. You don’t want them mushy but you want them cooked.

Remove when done. Set aside on plate. Toast bread.

ASSEMBLE

For generous, three-decker sandwich, spread mayo on inside of the top and bottom toasted slices. Spread hummus on both sides of center toast. In layers on the sandwich, stack green tomatoes, bacon and shredded lettuce or spinach. Top with hummus toast, then repeat second layer.

My son advises to allow the sandwich to “rest” a minute or so, which may make it unnecessary to insert toothpicks. With your bread knife, cut sandwich into four squares.

Serve with whatever side makes you happy. You may not need much, though. This sandwich is hearty.

Come back to NewinNOLA.com every week for “Southfacin’ Cook,” where Patsy explains the basics to Southern cooking and eating. Contact her with suggestions, questions or requests at patsy.brumfield@gmail.com.

Previous recipes from Patsy: