Torino Ham, Fried Green Tomatoes

Ingredients:

•  4 -6 tablespoons butter or 4 -6 tablespoons oil, for frying
•  4 slices country ham, about 1/2 inch thick
•  2 -3 green tomatoes, cored, sliced 1 1/2 inch thick, and soaked in milk
•  all-purpose flour, seasoned with
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
•  1 pinch sugar

Cream Gravy

•   reserved cooking fat
•   1/3 cup all-purpose flour
•   2 cups milk
•   salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy skillet and sauté the ham slices about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the ham to a heated platter and keep warm.
2. Drain the tomatoes and dust them with the seasoned flour. Add more butter to the pan if necessary and fry the tomatoes 3 minutes on each side or until tender, sprinkling each side with a little sugar. Remove and drain on paper towels, then arrange on the platter with the ham.
3. While the tomatoes are cooking, make the gravy:Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the cooking fat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk. Stir constantly until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour the gravy over the ham and tomatoes and serve immediately.