Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Prepare an oven-safe, shallow, 2 quart baking dish by rubbing the inside with garlic. Paint the dish with 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
1 clove garlic, sliced in half, 5 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
Heat 1-1/2 Tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for about five minutes or until onions are translucent, not brown. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest, fresh orange juice, honey and 1-1/2 teaspoons thyme.
1 large Vidalia or other sweet onion, 1/2 tsp grated orange zest, 3 tbsps fresh orange juice, 2 tsps honey, 3 tsps fresh thyme, chopped, divided
Add half of the onion mixture to the bottom of the baking dish and half the tomatoes. Season with half the salt and pepper and add the rest of the onion mixture, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Overlap the tomato slices to fit.
4 lbs tomatoes, thickly sliced , 1-1/2 tsps table salt, 1-1/2 tsps finely ground black pepper
In a separate bowl, mix together bread crumbs, 2 Tablespoons oil, 1-1/2 teaspoons thyme and cheese. Mix until all crumbs are moistened.
2 cups fresh bread crumbs , 1/2 cup Pecorino-Romano cheese
Bake for 24 minutes or until crumbs are golden and juices are bubbling.
Serve hot or warm.