Italian Bread With Plum Tomatoes: The Joy of Bruschetta

Italian bread can be eaten in bite-sized chunks or politely cut slices. Either way, it also can be slathered with butter or topping. Featured is a recipe for plum tomato topping.

Italian bread (pan italiano) is famous for its crustiness. It also is known for its chunky width in proportion to its chunky length. In contrast, French bread (pan francese) is longer and thinner.

The bread of Italy draws rave reviews for the softness of its crusty texture. The softness is in the ingredients. For example, olive oil (olio di oliva) tends to be found in many Italian culinary creations in general and in Italian breads in particular. It will make for a softer taste and texture than French bread.

Additionally, the Italian way of making bread ensures that softening ingredients such as olive oil can get their work done. The trick is in what is done to the dough before it is placed in the oven. The crust will be brushed with water. The result will be the production of a chewier, softer, tasty bread.

Italian bread (pan italiano)

Kimberly Vardeman (kimberlykv), CC BY...

French bread (baguettes)

Glenn Dettwiler (LCBGlenn), CC BY 2.0...

Italian bread can be served in slices with toppings. Popular toppings include fruits and vegetables. One of the most enduring mainstays in terms of toppings is the plum tomato.

The plum tomato can be likened in shape to a plum. It has few seeds. It is acidic and sweet in taste. It may be red or yellow in color.

A plum tomato also can be called a paste tomato in English. The term emphasizes its special role in food preparation. The plum tomato in fact is considered a key ingredient in the world’s best tomato sauces and toppings.

bridge over Sarno River (fiume Sarno), San Marzano sul Sarno, Campania, southwestern Italy

Salvatore Silvestri, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The phrase pomodoro di San Marzano, which often is shortened to pomodoro San Marzano, can be offered as one translation of the phrase "plum tomato" into Italian. The masculine noun pomodoro is the Italian word for “tomato.” The preposition di may be translated as “from” or “of.” The masculine phrase San Marzano refers to the municipality of San Marzano sul Sarno (Saint Marcian on the Sarno [River]) in the southwestern Italian region of Campania.

pomodori San Marzano

San Marzano tomatoes

Goldlocki, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedi...

pomodori di Roma

Roma plum tomatoes

Goldlocki, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedi...

There are other varieties of plum tomato. Another well-known variety is the Roma (pomodoro di Roma, pomodoro Roma). But the San Marzano plum tomato retains a special status within the world of plum tomatoes. Specifically, authentic Neapolitan pizza (pizza napoletana) uses only the plum tomatoes of San Marzano.

But whatever the variety available, the plum tomato can be an exciting, fresh addition to breads as well as to salads. Specifically in terms of breads, it can constitute an ingredient in a topping. In this way, it gives bright color to the brown exterior and white interior of chunky Italian bread. It also offers a delectable, healthy, nutritious taste.

tomato bruschetta

Michael_Spencer, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients for Italian Bread (Bruschetta) with Plum Tomatoes

1 loaf wide, crusty Italian bread, cut diagonally into 12 slices, about 1/2 inch each

3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Note: 2 Tablespoons are to be brushed onto bruschetta; 1 Tablespoon is combined with tomato mixture.

6 plum tomatoes, cored, seeded, and diced

Note: I set aside cores and seeds for addition to puréed stews.

1/3 cup chopped red onion

Note: Sometimes I substitute 4-6 scallions, finely chopped.

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

4 - 6 basil leaves, chopped

4 - 6 cilantro leaves, chopped

Handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Splash of lime juice

Note: Although optional, lime juice lightly imparts a hint of its tanginess to energize the tomato mixture.

olive oil on Italian bread: the basis for bruschetta

UmbriaLovers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Instructions for Italian Bread (Bruschetta) with Plum Tomato

1. Carefully combine tomatoes and onions with vinegar, basil, cilantro, parsley, garlic, and black and white pepper in a bowl. Take care not to crush tomatoes. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the mixture.

Note: If including lime juice, splash now according to preference.
Set aside at room temperature for 45 minutes to an hour to allow for blending of flavors.
At the end of this blending, prepare bruschetta.

2. Place rack in center of oven. Preheat the oven to 450 °F.

3. Arrange the sliced bread on a large baking sheet. Lightly toast on one side for a few minutes; then turn over.

Brush top sides with olive oil from pre-measured 2 tablespoons in small bowl.
Bake until tops are lightly toasted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Note: Sampling one of the olive oil-drenched slices is an irresistible, satisfying experience.

4. Place bread slices on a platter.

Top each slice with a goodly, yet not overflowing, amount of tomato mixture.

bruschetta with tomatoes and cheese

Peter Kaminski, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Variations

A favorite variation adds buffalo mozzarella cheese to tomato bruschetta. After slathering the tomato mixture onto bruschetta, slices of puffy buffalo mozzarella are positioned in an aesthetic contrast which, nevertheless, produces a flavorful harmony.

Also delicious is shaved mozzarella or parmigiano-reggiano, which is lightly toasted on the top side of bruschetta. Toasting mingles the flavors of olive oil and cheese into a sensational taste and texture which enhance the tomato topping.

Another variation features kalamata olives, with or without cheese.

Prosciutto, also known as Parma ham, visually and tastefully crowns bruschetta.

Baked eggplant imparts unique coloring and taste to tomato bruschetta. It is truly a culinary treat. Eggplant bruschetta may be converted into a salad with croutons, which is equally tasty.

prosciutto and fig bruschetta, The Raven Cafe, Prescott, central Arizona

ariztravel, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

My special thanks also to Teresa Giudice for generously sharing culinary treasures and family anecdotes in her beautiful cookbook, Skinny Italian.

My family's basic recipe for Italian Bread (Bruschetta) with Plum Tomatoes is a variation of a recipe by Teresa Giudice, "Bruschetta Classica," on page 178 of her excellent Italian cook book, Skinny Italian.

colorfully striking simplicity of tomato and basil bruschetta

Mike_fleming, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Credits

Italian bread (pan italiano): Kimberly Vardeman (kimberlykv), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlykv/6114709387/

French bread (baguettes): Glenn Dettwiler (LCBGlenn), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/swisschef/4537969381/

bridge over Sarno River (fiume Sarno), San Marzano sul Sarno, Campania, southwestern Italy: Salvatore Silvestri, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ponte_di_San_Marzano.JPG

Goldlocki, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TomateSanMarzano.jpg

Roma plum tomatoes: Goldlocki, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TomateTrossRomanaTyp.jpg

tomato bruschetta: Michael_Spencer, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tomato_Bruschetta.jpg

olive oil on Italian bread: the basis for bruschetta: UmbriaLovers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/umbrialovers/4184587108/

bruschetta with tomatoes and cheese: Peter Kaminski, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterkaminski/14113473/

prosciutto and fig bruschetta, The Raven Cafe, Prescott, central Arizona: ariztravel, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/arizonatravel/3839733031/

colorfully striking simplicity of tomato and basil bruschetta: Mike_fleming, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bruschetta_with_Tomatoes-01.jpg

bruschetta, ultimate party food, whether for a party of one or for a crowd: delicious finger food, easy to replenish: evoixsd, CC BY-ND 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/141_tabachoy/2444108853/

Sources Consulted

Accademia Italiana della Cucina (The Italian Academy of Cuisine). La cucina: the regional cooking of Italy. Translated by Jay Hyams. New York : Rizzoli, 2009.

Castelvetro, Giacomo. The Fruit, Herbs and Vegetables of Italy (1614). Translated and introduced by Gillian Riley. Devon, England: Prospect Books, 2012.

Giudice, Teresa, with Heather Maclean. Skinny Italian. New York: Hyperion, 2010.

Riley, Gillian. The Oxford Companion to Italian Food. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

bruschetta, ultimate party food, whether for a party of one or for a crowd: delicious finger food, easy to replenish

evoixsd, CC BY-ND 2.0, via Flickr

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Skinny Italian: Eat It and Enjoy It - Live La Bella Vita and Look Great, Too!

Italian recipes by Teresa Giudice with Heather Maclean

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Updated: 04/04/2024, DerdriuMarriner

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Veronica on 07/27/2018

I first had bruschetta on the streets of Florence, Italy. I had never tasted it before and it was being sold from street stalls, fresh bruschetta made whilst we waited, the scent of fresh basil filling the air. I tasted it and the sensation of the basil with fresh tomatoes was just wonderful. It is one of my favourite starters now when I go out but nothing tastes like the bruschetta , freshly made on the streets of Florence.

DerdriuMarriner on 07/27/2018

Veronica, Me too, I appreciate bruschetta. Thank you for the insights about the role of the oil. You must be spot-on about that since oil on bread is a favorite item that Brazilians enjoy at home and try not to do without when they emigrate or relocate for extended times abroad.

DerdriuMarriner on 07/27/2018

Margielynn, Thank you for the appreciation. I like to serve this on a day when I also prepare Czech cucumber and tomato salad.

Veronica on 10/28/2017

Bruschetta is one of my most favourite things. I do think it is the oil on the bread that makes the difference.

Thank you for posting this lovely page. Delightful. ty

Guest on 10/27/2017

You are making me hungry, looks delicious. The Roma tomato is one of the best tomatoes I can find!

DerdriuMarriner on 05/16/2014

Mira, Me, too, I love olive oil on bread: satisfyingly simple!
Bruschetta is fun and is so accommodating to creativity.

Mira on 05/15/2014

I enjoyed your notes on plum tomatoes (the kind used in Neapolitan pizza, etc.). I like them a lot, too, but never paid attention to the specifics. I will from now on.
I also love olive oil on bread :-) and all your suggestions on bruschetta toppings.

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