1 c. shortening
3 c. sugar
6 very ripe bananas, mashed
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 c. chopped nuts (opt.)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Mix in mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla. Sift flour, baking soda and salt, adding alternately with buttermilk. Stir in nuts. Bake in greased and floured loaf pans for 1 hour for large loaves and 45 minutes for smaller loaf. Freezes. Yield: 2 large loaves and 1 small loaf.