Panzanella: A Vibrant and Refreshing Tuscan Bread Salad Packed with the Freshness of Summer Vegetables

Panzanella is a traditional Tuscan bread salad that showcases the brilliant flavors of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, aromatic basil, and tangy red onions, all tied together with cubes of stale, crusty bread that soak up the delicious essence of a simple vinaigrette. This dish is a fantastic way to utilize stale bread and celebrate the bounties of the summer harvest. It's light, refreshing, and perfect for a summer luncheon or as a side dish to your favorite grilled meats.

Ingredients:* 4 cups cubed stale crusty bread* 2 large ripe tomatoes, diced* 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced* 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced* 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil* 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar* 1 clove garlic, minced* 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bread:Cut your stale bread into 1-inch cubes. If your bread is not stale, you can dry it out in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes until it's crisp but not browned.

2. Prepare the Vegetables:Dice the tomatoes and cucumber. Peel, seed, and dice the cucumber. Thinly slice the red onion. Place the prepared vegetables in a large salad bowl.

3. Make the Dressing:In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

4. Assemble the Salad:Add the cubed bread to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss well to combine. Let the salad sit for about 20-30 minutes at room temperature, allowing the bread to absorb the flavors of the dressing and the juices from the tomatoes.

5. Add Fresh Herbs:Just before serving, tear the fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the salad. Toss gently to incorporate.

6. Serve:Serve the Panzanella at room temperature, and enjoy a refreshing and flavorful taste of Tuscany!

This Panzanella salad brings a burst of fresh flavors and a delightful texture with every bite, making it a perfect dish for warm weather and fresh produce.