Tomato Garden Salad

Here is another great summer recipe, perfect for using those fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden. This salad is really only good with homegrown tomatoes. You can get away with buying cucumbers but the tomatoes HAVE to be freshly grown and picked. I think my Nana was the originator of this salad, and passed it on to my mom, who passed it on to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Tomato Garden Salad

3 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges (can half and then squeeze out the extra juice gently before slicing)
2 cucumbers, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup of jumbo black olives, cut into thirds
1/4 cup of queen spanish olives, cut into thirds
1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp of Italian seasonings -or- 1/2 cup of mixed fresh herbs: basil, parsley, oregano
coarse salt
freshly ground black pepper

Combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives in a serving bowl and set aside. Make the dressing - combine the vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl with a whisk, or shake well in a small jar with a cover. Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture and tear the fresh herbs on top. Toss gently with a rubber spatula and refrigerate until ready to serve.
This salad also taste great leftover, the flavors just intensify!