Panzanella with Zucchini & Basil
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Lots of tasty herbs make this bread salad with fresh tomatoes and zucchini extra special.
Author:
Recipe type: Vegetable
Cuisine: Vegetable
Serves: 4
Ingredients
Bread
  • 2 Tb. unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 Tb. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tb. fresh rosemary, minced finely
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 c. bread cubes/chunks (about 1” or larger) from crusty bread
  • 1 large zucchini, cut lengthwise and sliced thinly
  • 1+ pints small tomatoes, or 3-4 large, ripe tomatoes, stems removed, cut into large chunks
  • Large handful fresh basil, chopped or chiffonade
Balsamic Dressing
  • ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced finely
  • 3 Tb. Balsamic vinegar
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch granulated sugar
  • ½ c. extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, combine butter, olive oil, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper and mix to combine; add bread chunks/cubes and mix to coat all pieces.
  3. Transfer bread to a rimmed baking sheet (be sure to scrape out all seasonings from bowl); bake 7-8 minutes then remove from oven and cool thoroughly.
  4. In a saute pan over medium heat, add a little olive oil and the zucchini; sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper and saute a few minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool thoroughly.
  5. Add Dressing ingredients to a lidded jar and shake to combine (or place ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together); set aside until ready to use.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, add zucchini, tomatoes and basil to a large mixing bowl then add bread and mix gently.
  7. Pour about half the dressing into the bowl, stirring to combine. Taste and add a little more Dressing if needed (note: you may not need all the dressing - if so, just use it for another salad the next day).
  8. Allow the salad to sit about 30 minutes so flavors combine - the longer it sits, the better the flavor, especially in those bread chunks!
Recipe by My Delicious Blog at https://www.mydeliciousblog.com/panzanella-with-zucchini-basil/