Bruschetta (pronounced in Italian as bru’sketta) is an Italian antipasto meaning served before the pasta. The literal translation is “roasted over coals.” You will find many variations across Italy – some with grilled bread and some simply spread on bread fresh from the hearth.
Here is a simple and delicious Buy Haywood version for two versions of Summer Bruschetta made with ingredients picked at the peak of flavor, fresh from the farms of Haywood County, NC.
Visit our Online Directory for local ingredients!
Tomato & Basil Bruschetta
Ingredients
Artisanal Bread (grilled or fresh)
4 medium-ripe Tomatoes, cored and diced (your favorite in-season varieties)
10-15 leaves of fresh Genovese Basil (rolled & sliced thinly…careful not to bruise basil leaves)
1 clove Garlic, pressed or finely chopped
3-4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-2 Tablespoons Aged Balsamic Vinegar (from Modena, Italy is preferred)
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Note: Adjust acidity depending on the sweetness of the tomatoes, by adding more olive oil or vinegar to achieve the desired flavor balance.
Steps of Preparation
Combine all above ingredients in a bowl. Let stand unrefrigerated before serving (at least 15 minutes) so that flavors have an opportunity to combine.
Spoon over bread & serve!
Pesto Bruschetta
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups loosely-packed fresh Genovese Basil leaves
1/3 cup toasted Walnuts (or Pine Nuts)
2 medium Garlic cloves, peeled & chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
Steps of Preparation
Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a food processor (or blender).
Pulse several times to combine.
With machine running, add olive oil & puree until smooth.
Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Spread onto bread & serve.
Serving Suggestions:
Top with freshmozzarella for a variation of flavor!Also, this recipe for pesto is perfect stirred into 1 lb of cooked & drained pasta for a lunch or dinner treat!
Cook. Share. Enjoy!
For the creation of these recipes, our ingredients were purchased locally. We’d like to acknowledge the following growers & producers for their continued partnership with Buy Haywood:
KING HARVEST FARMS—Tomatoes, Basil, Garlic
Steve & Terry King• 828.734.1044
Sold at: HAYWOOD’S HISTORIC FARMERS MARKETCITY BAKERY of WAYNESVILLE—French Batard
POTTERY — Generously Donated by
HEMPHILL POTTERY
Jimmy & Molly Richardson
828.337.8201