Tuscan bread salad

ByRasa Pelham
A serving of Tuscan bread salad, also known as Panzanella, featuring layers of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and a sprinkle of herbs, presented on a white plate beside a fork.

While in Tuscany we took some classes in cooking. Although the most intricate food we learned to make was fresh pasta, my favourite thing to eat and to make was bread salad (otherwise called Panzanella). It’s a perfect summertime appetiser and in my opinion this can be served with meat dishes as well!
TUSCAN BREAD SALAD

  • 3 slices harden stale bread (good quality, home baked not the regular shop bought sliced bread)
  • 3 medium sized tomatoes (my favourite is beefsteak tomato if you can find them in stores)
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1-2 celery sticks
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt
A colorful serving of Tuscan bread salad layered with tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion, garnished with parsley on a white plate, accompanied by a fork.

1. Soak Bread in water for about 15 min. I recently have been trying to bake focaccia bread so this is what I used to make the salad this time.

A bowl containing several pieces of homemade focaccia bread.

2. Meanwhile slice tomatoes, cucumber, onion and chop celery. Place everything in one salad bowl.

A wooden table with sliced tomatoes, cucumber, celery stalks, a red onion, and pieces of bread, along with a purple knife and a bowl containing sliced vegetables.

3. Drain the bread and squeeze out the excess water and coarsely crumble with your hands. Place in a bowl with vegetables.

A hand mixing crumbled bread in a bowl on a wooden surface.

4. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with vinegar and olive oil.

A close-up of a mixing bowl filled with crumbled bread, diced vegetables, and a stream of olive oil being poured in, preparing Tuscan bread salad.

5. Mix carefully and refrigerate.

A bowl of colorful Tuscan bread salad, featuring crumbled bread, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and celery, lightly dressed with olive oil and vinegar.
A glass bowl filled with Tuscan bread salad, featuring crumbled bread, diced tomatoes, cucumber slices, chopped celery, and red onion, mixed together with a spoon.
A serving of Tuscan bread salad topped with parsley on a white plate, alongside a silver fork.

Buon Appetito!
Rasa xoxo

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