Summer in Florence: something traditional to eat

What do Florentines eat during the hot summer months?

Summer dishes have to be quick to prepare, cold, nutritious and particularly refreshing. Vegetables and fruits are for this reason essential.

Here is a recipe  of a typical Florentine dish: panzanella.

Ingredients (for 4 people):

• 3 large ripe tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 small cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1 small red onion  (previously put for in cold water a few hours) thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, very finely minced
• Some fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces with your hands
• extra-virgin olive oil (possibly Tuscan)
• red wine vinegar and some salt
• 6-8 slices of toscano bread (thick stale bread) of the day before.

Directions:

1. Put the bread in a bowl with water. Let it soak the water and then squeeze it out with your hands. Put this bread into another bowl.
2. Combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and basil. Drizzle with the olive oil and the vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving

Enjoy it!!!