Panontella alla Siciliana

Ingredients

• 4 cups (400g) stale Sicilian bread, cut into cubes 4 cups (400g) stale Sicilian bread, cut into cubes
• 4 ripe tomatoes, diced 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, peeled and diced 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (150g) black olives, pitted and halved 1 cup (150g) black olives, pitted and halved
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
• 1/2 cup (30g) fresh basil leaves, torn 1/2 cup (30g) fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 2.5g)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (Sugars: 6g)
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, capers, and basil.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. 3.
   Pour the dressing over the bread mixture and toss gently to combine.
4. 4.
   Allow the Panontella to sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Serve the Panontella chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional basil leaves if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sicilian bread — If you can't find Sicilian bread, you can use any rustic bread with a dense texture. The bread should be slightly stale to absorb the dressing properly.
• Capers — Rinse the capers before using to remove excess saltiness.
• Red onion — To mellow the flavor of the red onion, you can soak the sliced onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add some diced sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers to the Panontella.
• If you prefer a softer texture, you can lightly toast the bread cubes in the oven before tossing them with the other ingredients.
• Customize the recipe by adding your favorite Mediterranean herbs such as oregano or parsley.
• Make sure to use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and juiciness.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the bread will become softer as it absorbs more of the dressing.

Serving advice

Serve the Panontella alla Siciliana as a refreshing appetizer or as a light main course. It pairs well with grilled fish or chicken. You can also serve it alongside a charcuterie board for a Mediterranean-inspired feast.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, serve the Panontella in a large shallow bowl or on a platter. Garnish with additional basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. The vibrant colors of the ingredients will make the dish visually appealing.