Panzanella Bread Salad with Summer Corn and Heirloom Tomatoes

panzanella

I can't imagine summer without fresh vegetables, especially corn and tomatoes. Every year I eagerly wait for them to come into season. Just think of crunchy sweet corn and lusciously juicy tomatoes. This year my tomatoes have been very late, but finally just yesterday I picked four of my special heirlooms. I was more than excited to eat them. But I had to honor them properly by using them in a way that would show off their freshness and beauty. I couldn't think of a better recipe than a much-loved and often enjoyed Italian bread salad.

Panzanella is often thought of as a leftover salad made to use up day-old bread. But in Tuscany, from where the salad originates, it is considered a summer specialty and not simply a leftover strategy. Typically the bread used in panzanella is hearty Tuscan bread, which is traditionally made without salt. Dry bread is moistened in water and then mixed with the typical ingredeints of tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, olive oil, and vinegar. It makes for a lively appetizer or side dish. But I make this panzanella a bit differently.

panzanella plate

I put a spin on tradition and grill the bread, leaving out the step of moistening it with water. I also leave out onions. And for an extra summery touch, I add fresh, raw corn for crunch and sweetness. this bread salad wouldn't be complete without the perfume and anise-like favor of basil. I use Greek basil, not because it's Greek, but because the leave are tiny and look so elegant scattered over the finished salad. It's a very refreshing salad perfect as a starter to any summer afternoon.

This summer I'm participating in A Way to Garden's Third Annual Summer Fest. Every Wednesday a summer produce (a fruit or vegetable) will be the theme. This Wednesday it's corn. To participate all you have to do is something as simple as leaving a comment or linking to a favorite blog post of yours or to another site. You can share gardening tips, recipes, and/or pictures. Visit the Summer Fest link for more information. Many other blogs are participating and it would be great to see how far the conversation goes.

More corn recipes:
Black Bean Salad
Seared Scallops with Corn Salsa and Cilantro Pesto
Summer Corn Chowder

Panzanella Salad with Summer Corn and Heirloom Tomatoes

2 small and 2 medium to large heirloom tomatoes
2 slices French country bread
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing bread
1/3 cup fresh corn kernels, sliced from the cob
1/4 cup Greek basil leaves or torn Italian basil leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
coarse sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Slice larger tomatoes thin and cut small tomatoes into eighths. Arrange on a platter.

Heat a grill pan set over high heat. Rub bread slices with garlic clove and brush or drizzle with olive oil on both sides. Grill until charred with grill lines, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Tear bread into chunks.

Scatter torn bread, corn kernels, and basil over plate. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Yield: 2 to 3 appetizer servings.

Comments

  1. Looks delicious, excellent presentation! I can smell the basil now!

    I've been eating garden tomatoes so much (making tomato salads). I think I'm turning into one! This recipe is definately one for my recipe books!

    Erica

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  2. looks very interesting!
    i can say that panzanella is really gorgeous even if it is made of very poor ingredients here in italy...is one of the simplest dish to prepare because you need very few things but they have to be great...bread is the king of panzanella and it has to be saltfree (the tuscan kind) to be the best!

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