Sweet-spicy Cucumbers over Tomatoes

This is a great end of the summer treat. Use pickling cucumbers for this recipe and let them marinate for at least 4 days....the longer they sit the spicier and more garlicy they'll be. Plan ahead to account for the marinating time of 1-4 days. Adapted from Cooking Light, May 2003

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  cups  thinly sliced pickling cucumbers
• 1  cup  thinly sliced  vidalia onions or 1  cup other sweet onion
• 1⁄2 cup cider vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 4  cloves garlic, minced
• 2  whole  dried red chilies
• 16  slices fresh tomatoes (1/4-inch thick)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. Arrange half of the cucumber in a 9-inch pie plate; top with half of the onion and repeat procedure with remaining cucumber and onion.
2. Combine vinegar through red chiles in a small pan and bring to a boil, cook 1 minute or until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour hot vinegar mixture over cucumber and onions; cover and let marinate in fridge for 1-4 days, preferably 4 days for the best flavors.
4. Arrange tomato slices on a platter; sprinkle evenly with the salt and pepper.
5. Remove cucumber mixture from marinade with a slotted spoon and arrange over tomato slices.