Serves: 4
Total Calories: 165

4 freselle or 1-inch-thick slices of Italian or French bread, toasted
2 large ripe tomatoes
2 small kirby cucumbers, sliced
3 or 4 slices chopped red onions
4 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar (approximate)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 ice cubes

1 Break the freselle or bread into bite-size pieces and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle with about 1/4 cup cool water or enough to slightly soften the bread.

2 Add the tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and basil to the bowl. Drizzle with oil and vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss well.

3 Add the ice cubes to the salad and let stand 15 minutes. Toss again and taste for seasoning, adding more vinegar if needed. Serve immediately.

VARIATION: You can make the Pugliese version of this salad, called cialedda. They use a round variety of cucumber (but use what is available), plus radishes, arugula, and celery.

From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 4
Total Calories: 165
Calories from Fat: 120

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