Banana Pecan Squares

	2 eggs, separated
	2/3 cup shortening
	1  1/2 cups sugar
	1 cup mashed RIPE bananas (2 to 3 medium) -- the riper, the stronger the flavor!!
	1  1/2 cups all-purpose flour
	1 tsp. baking soda
	1 tsp. vineger
	~ 1/4 milk
	1/2 tsp. vanilla
	1/2 to 3/4 cup pecan pieces (walnuts are good too) In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in egg YOLKS and mix well. Add bananas and mix. Put the vinegar into a measuring cup and add enough milk until you have 1/4 cup. Combine flour and baking soda and add alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold in the egg whites. Fold in nuts. Pour into a greased 13 in. by 9 in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.  Cut into squares. If desired, garnish with whipped cream and a few banana slices.  (They're good plain, too!) Yield:  12-16 squares These freeze well.  Sometimes I'll make two batches and freeze one batch after cutting them into squares.  My husband likes taking them to work for a snack.

From The Kitchen Of:  Shelley Totter  ~ Church of Christ, Frisco, TX