Heirloom Tomato Salad with Pickled Fennel Recipe | Epicurious

Ingredients

• 1 whole star anise pod
• 1 teaspoon aniseed
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 lemongrass stalk, tough outer layer removed, crushed
• Zest of 1/4 orange, removed with a vegetable peeler
• 1 medium fennel bulb, cored, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 cups unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 pounds large heirloom tomatoes (about 3), cut into wedges
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, preferably heirloom, halved
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic or Sherry vinegar
• 7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 2 Cubanelle peppers or Anaheim chiles, sliced into 3/4" rings, seeded
• Fennel fronds (for serving)
• Cheesecloth