Use Up Those Green Tomatoes Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups green tomatoes, finely chopped
2 cups brown sugar, packed (divided)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon flavor extract
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Preparation

Drain tomatoes on paper towels for 10 minutes.
In a saucepan, add drained tomatoes, 1 cup of the brown sugar, and the fresh lemon juice; simmer,uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon flavor extract and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and remaining 1 cup brown sugar.
Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix well.
Stir in the oats and nuts.
Measure out 2 1/2 cups of this dry mixture and press it into the bottom of a greased 9x13\" baking pan.
Spread the slighly cooled tomato mixture on top.
Crumble the remaining dry mixture over the top, like a crumb topping.
Bake at 375 F for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let cool completely, then cut into 24 bars to serve.