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There are a few dish that embody summer in our house. This is definitely one of them. Throughout the months of August and September we eat this as often as humanly possible, and it is this dish that made fresh tomato lovers out of my kids and my husband (Gary still does’t care all that much for tomatoes in any other form – crazy man).
There is that moment where the tables at the farmers markets are piled high with all kinds of crazy looking tomatoes with funny names; Green Zebra, Brandywine, Lillian’s Yellow Heirloom, Mortgage Lifter, Black Crim, Purple Calabash, just to name a few. These often fall into the category of heirloom tomatoes. This is a great opportunity to let the kids have at it, picking the weirdest looking tomatoes they can find.
Then when you get home, and are now wondering what to do with all of these gorgeous specimens, (other than slice them onto a platter, drizzle them lightly with olive oil and sprinkle them with coarse salt, which is another option), make this. The only key to tomato bruschetta is to use perfectly ripe tomatoes, even if they don’t have a goofy name.
What is the Difference Between Bruschetta and Crostini?
This discussion gets a little murky, since there are Italian purist definitions, and then definitions that have become more commonly associated with each word. Since page space is limited for lengthy academic classifications (and this isn’t that kind of book anyway), here is a short version, which will surely raise debate in some circles, but that’s okay.
Crostini translates into “little toasts,” and generally mean plain, thin slices of bread, brushed with olive oil and toasted. They may or may not be topped with different things.
Bruschetta also means toasted bread, authentically toasted on a grill over coals, and usually are thicker and larger than crostini, and often eaten with a knife and a fork. They are sometimes rubbed with a garlic clove, and also may or may not have toppings, which can be more rugged and messier than crostini toppings, because they are served on thicker bread, and usually on a plate, sometimes even with a knife and fork. Try making this with Grilled Bruschetta.
The word bruschetta is often associated with toasted bread topped with a chopped fresh tomato topping (like this recipe); however, technically it’s the toast itself that is actually the bruschetta; the tomato topping is just the most common one associated with the toast.
Throughout August and September we should eat this as often as humanly possible. Use only perfectly ripe tomatoes.
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Extra Bruschetta Topping
You can also make a double batch of the tomato mixture, cook up a pound of pasta and toss everything together for an amazing late summer pasta dish. You’ll probably want to add an extra splash of olive oil, as well as a ladle of water from cooking the pasta to help form a sauce. A sprinkle of freshly grated parm or crumbled goat cheese or a small handful of slivered fresh mozzarella on top of each portion is excellent.
What else to do with those perfect tomatoes?
Tomatoes with Mint Basil Pesto is one idea. Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad is another. Perfect End-of-Summer Pasta Salad, also a contender. You’ll find something good to do.
More Bruschetta Recipes:
- Mushroom Bruschetta with Herbed Mayonnaise
- Salmon and White Bean Bruschetta
- Swiss Chard, Leek and Feta Bruschetta
- Kale and Roasted Pepper Bruschetta
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Tomato Bruschetta
Ingredients
- 1 long baguette (sliced ⅓- to ½-inch thick – about 30 slices; see Note)
- ½ cup olive oil (approximately, for brushing)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- 2 garlic cloves (halved; optional)
- 5 cups cored (seeded and diced ripe tomatoes; about 4 large tomatoes – you can use any mixture of tomatoes)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup slivered fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (or to taste)
- Freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Lightly brush each of the baguette slices with the olive oil and place them side by side on the baking sheet (they can be touching, but not overlapping – you may need two baking sheets, or do this in two batches). Sprinkle the bread with salt.
- Bake for 4 to 7 minutes until lightly brown. Remember that they will harden as they cool, so take them out before they get too crisp. If desired, lightly rub the flat side of a cut garlic half against the top of the bread.
- Combine the tomatoes, olive oil, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. You can let this, and the crostini, sit at room temperature for up to an hour before topping the crostini.
- Lay the crostini slices on a serving tray and top each with a spoonful of crostini, or simply serve the tomato mixture in a bowl with the crostini on the side. When you scoop the tomatoes onto the bread, use a slotted spoon, or tilt the spoon a bit, to allow some of the liquid to drain off…or use your clean hands. If you are topping the crostini, do it right before serving or the bread will become soggy.
Notes
What is the Difference Between Bruschetta and Crostini?
Crostini translates into “little toasts,” and generally mean plain, thin slices of bread, brushed with olive oil and toasted. They may or may not be topped with different things. Bruschetta also means toasted bread, authentically toasted on a grill over coals, and usually are thicker and larger than crostini, and often eaten with a knife and a fork. They are sometimes rubbed with a garlic clove, and also may or may not have toppings, which can be more rugged and messier than crostini toppings, because they are served on thicker bread, and usually on a plate, sometimes even with a knife and fork. Try making this with Grilled Bruschetta.Nutrition Information
The nutrition values are provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
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Unbelievably delicious! Simple, robust flavors always win, I get asked for the recipe each and every time I make it! Hands down my favorite appetizer!