Deli Macaroni Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces macaroni
3 cups sugar
2 cups vinegar
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1/8 teaspoon dried basil, more if fresh
salt and pepper

Preparation

Cook pasta until ala dente. Drain and rinse well with cold water.
Bring vinegar and sugar to a simmer in a saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Prepare macaroni, al dente. Place cooked macaroni in a bowl and pour the brine over it,(put in a large plastic bag). Refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
To finish:
Drain the macaroni from the brine. Mix the mayonnaise, basil, salt and pepper together. Add pasta, tomatoes, green peppers, cucumber and red onion. Toss to combine. Serve.