Kay's Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes

With their vivid colors and delightful taste, heirloom tomatoes make a perfect side dish or salad.  I love to marinate them and serve them on a bed of lettuce and sprinkle a little feta or goat cheese on top.  Here is my favorite way to marinate them.

2 cups of small/cherry/grape size heirloom tomatoes, rinsed and sliced 

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning blend (I use McCormick)

1 Tablespoon parsley, diced

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

1 Tablespoon grainy brown mustard

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

Slice tomatoes and put in bowl with a tightly fitting lid.  Sprinkle salt on tomatoes.  In a blender, blender together all other ingredients and pour on top of tomatoes.  Put on lid and give a shake.  Refrigerate for 2-6 hours or overnight.    Serve on lettuce and top with cheese if you like.  

Note:  I sometimes add 1/4 cup of diced red onions to this .  I put onions in with tomatoes and then add the marinate.