Bruschetta was born as a poor Neapolitan food of farmers, but today it is one of our favorite appetizers on a summer night.
G. Giustolisi
Born as a “poor food” from the need of Italian farmers to use stale bread, in Neapolitan cuisine, bruschetta, was the snack of farmers who dressed these slices of toasted bread with freshly picked tomatoes. The original recipe is comprised of drizzling the bread with extra virgin olive oil and topping it with garlic, tomato and oregano. 
The secret for authentic Italian bruschetta is using simple, but high quality ingredients (a rule that is the staple of all Italian cuisine). Choose Italian rustic bread, with natural yeast (available in Italian food shops), which should stay fresh for 7-10 days. The olive oil for classic bruschetta — tomato, oregano and garlic — must be strictly extra virgin (in Italy, it’s also known by the abbreviation “EVO”) with intense aromatic notes, while a lighter extra virgin olive oil is preferable for Bruschetta with cheese or salumi. For this recipe, I used the fine Sicilian PDO extra virgin olive oil, PDO Monti Iblei, which possesses intense and distinctive aromas.
Tomatoes (preferably organic plum tomatoes) will add sweetness, and a fresh high quality oregano (in Italian specialty shops, try the fine Sicilian oregano), will make your bruschetta very special.
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- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 ripe flesh plum tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Pinch of sea salt
- 2 tbsp high quality Italian extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 4 mint leaves
- 4 to asted slices of rustic Italian bread
Instructions
- Wash tomatoes and cut them in half. Chop the tomatoes coarsely and pour them into a bowl.
- Mix the tomatoes with the garlic (peeled and crushed), a pinch of salt, extra virgin olive oil and oregano.
- Let stand for 10-15 minutes to absorb the flavors of the marinade.
- Toast the bread and spread the tomatoes with the sauce.
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of bread should I use for authentic Italian bruschetta?
For authentic Italian bruschetta, choose Italian rustic bread made with natural yeast, as it stays fresh for 7-10 days and provides the right texture.
Why is it important to use extra virgin olive oil for bruschetta?
Using extra virgin olive oil is crucial because it adds intense aromatic notes that enhance the flavors of the bruschetta, especially when paired with tomatoes and oregano.
Can I substitute the organic plum tomatoes with another type of tomato?
While organic plum tomatoes are preferred for their sweetness, you can substitute with other tomatoes, but the flavor and texture may vary.
