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Introducing a summertime twist on the traditional Italian Panzanella Salad with a delicious addition of ripe, juicy peaches for a touch of sweetness.
Once you try it, I promise it will become your “go-to summer salad” too!
Five Reasons To Love This Salad
- Sweet and Savory Fusion: The peach panzanella summer salad marries the sweetness of ripe peaches with the savory flavors of traditional Panzanella, creating a delightful taste combination.
- Bread’s Texture and Flavor: The inclusion of bread cubes adds a unique texture and absorbs the delicious juices, enhancing the overall taste and providing a satisfying crunch.
- Medley Fresh Produce: With a medley of fresh vegetables and herbs, this salad is a vibrant celebration of seasonal produce.
- Herbaceous Elegance: The addition of fresh basil elevates the salad, infusing it with a fragrant and herbaceous quality that complements the sweetness of the peaches.
- Perfect Any Time: Whether enjoyed as a light meal on its own or paired with grilled proteins, the peach panzanella summer salad’s adaptability makes it suitable for various dining occasions, from picnics to dinner parties.
Fresh Ingredients
Tomatoes – you can use your favorite variety of tomatoes for this recipe. I like both vine-ripe tomatoes and the convenience and sweetness of cherry tomatoes.
Baguette – I used a French baguette, but you can also use Italian bread.
Dijon Mustard – I like to use creamy Dijon mustard that has a mellow flavor in my vinaigrettes.
How To Make Sumer Panzanella Bread Salad
- Start by cutting the baguette into cubes. Toss the cubes with extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake them in a 350° oven for 10 minutes until they are crispy. Remove them from the oven and let them cool at room temperature.
- Dice the cucumbers and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces that are similar in size to the bread cubes.
- Chiffonade 8 large basil leaves. Chiffonade is a slicing technique to make ribbons. (See FAQs below.) Save some of the basil leaves to garnish the salad when you plate it.
- Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, dijon mustard, and salt and pepper.
- Place all of the ingredients into a large bowl and toss them together.
- To serve, spoon the salad onto a large platter, slice the fresh peach and nestle slices into the salad, and garnish it with small fresh basil leaves.
FAQs
Why is it called bread salad?
Panzanella originated in Italy and it was a way to use up stale dried bread. The hard bread was tossed in olive oil and added to a chopped salad.
What do I serve with Panzanella Salad?
This salad is fantastic on its own for lunch or dinner. I also like to serve it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak.
What is a Chiffonade cut?
Chiffonade is a French term for slicing herbs and leaves into thin ribbons. It’s done by stacking several leaves on top of each other, making a roll, and then cutting thin strips diagonally.
Are peaches traditionally added to this salad?
No, the peaches are my addition. I find that adding fruit to a vegetable salad adds the perfect amount of natural sweetness. Try it, I’m sure you will love it!
Krazy Kitchen Mom Tips
- Select Ripe Peaches: Choose ripe and juicy peaches for the best flavor. Look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure and have a fragrant aroma.
- Quality Bread: Opt for high-quality, rustic bread like ciabatta or sourdough. Day-old bread works well. It will absorb the flavors without becoming too soggy.
- Perfectly Ripened Tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes to enhance the salad’s juiciness. Consider heirloom or cherry tomatoes for added color and variety.
- Balanced Dressing: Prepare a simple vinaigrette using extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey. Ensure a well-balanced dressing to complement the sweetness of the peaches.
- Toast the Bread Cubes: Toast the bread cubes in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil until golden brown and crisp. This adds a delightful crunch to the salad and prevents the bread from becoming too soggy.
- Mix Ingredients Just Before Serving: Combine the ingredients just before serving to maintain the bread’s texture. This ensures that the salad remains fresh, and the flavors are at their peak.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh basil or mint for a burst of herbaceous flavor. Chopped herbs contribute to the overall freshness of the salad.
- Experiment with Cheese: Consider adding crumbled feta or goat cheese for a creamy element that complements the sweet and savory components of the salad.
- Serve at Room Temperature: Allow the salad to come to room temperature before serving. This enhances the flavors and ensures that the ingredients are not overly chilled.
- Customize to Taste: Feel free to customize the salad based on personal preferences. Adjust the sweetness, and acidity, or add extra ingredients like arugula for a peppery kick.
More Fresh Summer Recipes
- Easy Homemade Bruschetta
- Fresh Mango Salsa
- Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomato Corn Salsa
- Sweet Balsamic Strawberries
- Classic Sea Breeze Cocktail and Mocktail
Summer Panzanella Bread Salad
This is my summertime version of the classic Italian Panzanella Salad. I've added fresh slices of juicy peaches that add another layer of freshness and sweetness. Once you try it, I promise it will become your "go-to summer salad" too!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Cut the baguette into bite-sized cubes.
- Toss the cubes with extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper.
- Bake them in a 350° oven for 10 minutes until they are crispy. Remove them from the oven and let them cool at room temperature.
- Dice the cucumbers and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces that are similar in size to the bread cubes.
- Chiffonade 8 large basil leaves. Save some of the basil leaves to garnish the salad when you plate it.
- Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, dijon mustard, and salt and pepper.
- Place all of the ingredients into a large bowl and toss them together.
- To serve, spoon the salad onto a large platter, slice the fresh peach and nestle slices into the salad and garnish it with small fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Select Ripe Peaches: Choose ripe and juicy peaches for the best flavor. Look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure and have a fragrant aroma.
- Quality Bread: Opt for high-quality, rustic bread like ciabatta or sourdough. Day-old bread works well. It will absorb the flavors without becoming too soggy.
- Perfectly Ripened Tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes to enhance the salad’s juiciness. Consider heirloom or cherry tomatoes for added color and variety.
- Balanced Dressing: Prepare a simple vinaigrette using extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey. Ensure a well-balanced dressing to complement the sweetness of the peaches.
- Toast the Bread Cubes: Toast the bread cubes in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil until golden brown and crisp. This adds a delightful crunch to the salad and prevents the bread from becoming too soggy.
- Mix Ingredients Just Before Serving: Combine the ingredients right before serving to maintain the bread’s texture. This ensures that the salad remains fresh, and the flavors are at their peak.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh basil or mint for a burst of herbaceous flavor. Chopped herbs contribute to the overall freshness of the salad.
- Experiment with Cheese: Consider adding crumbled feta or goat cheese for a creamy element that complements the sweet and savory components of the salad.
- Serve at Room Temperature: Allow the salad to come to room temperature before serving. This enhances the flavors and ensures that the ingredients are not overly chilled.
- Customize to Taste: Feel free to customize the salad based on personal preferences. Adjust the sweetness, and acidity, or add extra ingredients like arugula for a peppery kick.
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