Recently, Dan Christy began conversing with Rome, Italy resident and golfing enthusiast, Pierluigi Calabretta via Facebook.

Also, Pierre loves great food. He sent us his recipe for panzanella, a favorite summer salad recipe:

Hi Dan! First one is called PANZANELLA, and it’s simple but great in hot summer days!

INGREDIENTS for 2 people:

Stale bread (about 4 slices), two tomatoes, one half onion, one cucumber, two teaspoons vinegar, five chopped basil leaves (fresh, if possible!), one table spoon oil, salt and pepper.

RECIPE:
Fill a bowl with cold water. Then with your hands soak the bread. This is the very important moment for a good panzanella! Don’t leave the bread for too long in the water.

When it starts to soften after about thirty seconds, take it out. Break the soaked bread into peaces and mix with the chopped vegetables and all the other ingredients.

Make it rest for at least one hour, but I like it when it is prepared the day before.

Possible add-ons: garlic, balsamic vinegar and other vegetables.
Use of good extra virgin oil is VERY important.

Ciao!

Pierluigi Calabretta

Here’s a grilled panzanella recipe from Epicurious.