Fall is here and if you’re like me, your garden is ending it’s peak and you have lots of tomatoes and cucumbers begging to be eaten.  It’s also football season and the game day parties are starting. How about combining both and making a quick garden fresh appetizer for your party?

This appetizer idea is so simple it only has three ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers and marinated fresh mozzarella that you can find at Costco or Same Club. Or even Walmart.  And it took me less than 15 minutes to put together. You can’t ask for more when you’re in a pinch.

This year, I grew Lemon Cucumbers. I found the plant at Home Depot and thought they would be interesting. They are bright yellow when ready, shaped more like a lemon than a traditional cucumber and have an amazing taste.  They claim not to have a lemon taste, but I swear I tasted it. It’s probably just my imagination. The flavor is a little milder than a regular cucumber’s which I really like. Since they are smaller, you don’t often have those half cucumber leftovers.

I love hanging out with friends and family for football games, outdoor parties (weather permitting) or any other occasion.  Sometimes those gatherings are impromptu so you need to have a quick go-to appetizer idea in your arsenal. That’s where this deliciousness comes in.

Simply peel and slice a cucumber, add sliced tomato and mozzarella. The Lemon Cucumbers have a thinner skin than regular ones, so be careful when peeling that you don’t cut too deep. I cut the mozzarella into quarters and laid them over the tomatoes. Marinated mozzarella is usually seasoned with olive oil, basic and seasoning. Spoon some of that herbed olive oil over the tomatoes and you have a quick appetizer. Pour a drink, some wine or lemonade and you have an instant party.

Here’s a tip for you; if the cucumber is really seedy, use a small cookie cutter in a cute shape and cut those seeds right out. Of leave them in, it’s up to you.

Enjoy this dish! It’s the perfect end of summer appetizer idea.