Tomato bruschetta is a classic of Italian cuisine, a humble dish from farming tradition. A tasty and quick recipe, perfect as an appetizer, aperitif, or a summer dinner.
The Tuscan, Lazio, and Abruzzo traditions prepare bruschetta (also called fettunta or toasted bread) simply toasting stale bread and then rubbing it while still warm with garlic and then drizzling it with good oil. For grandma Benedetta, this easy version with an ancient flavor is a healthy snack for young and old.
SEASON and HARVEST of #roundtomatoes #SanMarzano – from May to October.
Bruschetta recipes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 20 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6 bruschettas
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Energy 159.12 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 26.21 (g) of which sugars 3.65 (g)
- Proteins 4.84 (g)
- Fat 4.10 (g) of which saturated 0.36 (g)of which unsaturated 1.10 (g)
- Fibers 2.58 (g)
- Sodium 381.16 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 135 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Tomato Bruschetta
For celiacs, use gluten-free bruschetta bread.
- 6 slices country bread (fresh or stale)
- Half kg tomatoes (well-ripened)
- 2 cloves garlic (can be omitted)
- 0.5 oz basil
- to taste salt
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- dried oregano (or thyme)
- leaves mint (fresh)
- chili (or paprika)
- lemon (zest of peel)
Below are the calories of one tomato bruschetta.
Tools
- Toaster
Tomato Bruschetta
Prepare the topping
Wash well-ripened and fleshy tomatoes, then cut them into cubes. If they are San Marzano, I recommend peeling them like an apple before cutting them into pieces.
Flavor the tomato cubes with garlic slices (or minced garlic), pieces of basil, salt, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix and let the sauce marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or better for a few hours for a more fragrant result.
How to toast the bread?
Heat the bread slices in the toaster or in a static oven at 392 °F (or 356 °F ventilated) for about 10 minutes; after baking, leave them in the turned-off oven to make them even crisper.
Alternatively, toast the bread on both sides on a preheated grill or over embers.
For a tastier tomato bruschetta, when the toasted bread is still hot, rub half a garlic clove on it.
How to serve the bruschetta?
Pour the tomato cubes over the bread slices (fresh or toasted) and serve immediately.
Or place the bowl with the topping and the bread slices at the center of the table, allowing each diner the pleasure of preparing their own bruschetta.
What bread to use for bruschetta?
Any type of large loaf (Tuscan, Pugliese, whole grain, rye, mixed grains) cut into 0.5 – 1 inch slices is perfect for a healthy bruschetta. It’s better to prefer bread with a compact and firm dough (thus without holes where the topping could fall through).
I recommend unsalted bread, which toasts easily, stays soft inside while the crust and outside become crispy.
Specific bread for bruschetta, already sliced, is available for purchase.
A baguette, milk or oil rolls are also good for making smaller crostini.
Avoid sandwich bread or white loaf bread.
VEGAN variations of tomato bruschetta
Integrate with:
– other raw vegetables: cucumbers, peppers, zucchini
– marinated and crumbled tofu
– nut granola: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios
– olives and capers
VEGETARIAN ideas for tomato bruschetta
Enhance with:
– grated cheese (without animal rennet)
– mozzarella cubes
– cottage cheese or stracciatella
– pieces of primosale cheese or feta
No waste idea
The liquid released by the tomatoes and left over is great for moistening the insides of stuffed rolls or can be used to drizzle thin slices of bread to toast in the oven.
