Pane cunzato

Pane Cunzato is a typical dish of the Sicilian tradition, characterized by its simplicity and richness of flavors. It is a rustic dish that enhances the taste of bread, enriched with fresh and tasty ingredients. Here’s how to prepare Pane Cunzato:

Ingredients

• 1 round country bread (semolina is better)
• 2 ripe tomatoes
• 1 small red onion
• Dried oregano to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Salt to taste
• Anchovies in oil (optional)
• Black olives (optional)
• Primo sale cheese (optional)
• Salted capers (rinsed, optional)

Preparation

1. Start by cutting a round country bread in half, horizontally, so you have two bases to work on.
2. Lightly toast the two halves of the bread to make them crispy.
3. Rub a clove of garlic (if you like) on the surface of the toasted bread to flavor it.
4. Drizzle a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil over both halves of the bread.
5. Slice the tomatoes and red onion thinly, placing them on the bread.
6. Add a pinch of salt and dried oregano over the entire surface.
7. At this point, if you wish, add anchovies, black olives, slices of primo sale cheese, and capers to further enrich your Pane Cunzato.
8. A final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving to enhance all the flavors.

Fun Fact

The name “Pane Cunzato” literally means “seasoned bread”, and this dish was born as a simple and quick way to create a complete and tasty meal, ideal for workers during lunch break or for a picnic at the sea or in the countryside. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility: you can customize it with the ingredients you prefer or have available, following seasonality and local availability.