Recipe of the week! Panzanella

Every week, each of us working at Youthmarkets, a program of GrowNYC, or doing a cooking demonstration will prepare the recipe of the week, and we want to share it with you! So stay tuned once a week to learn what the recipe of the week was, see some delicious pictures, and learn a few nutrition facts relating to the dish! This weeks recipe is the:

PANZANELLA - Italian Bread Salad

Photo by Jessica Gubankova

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 4 full or 10 tasting servings

Ingredients:
1 loaf Day old (hard & dry), whole grain or Italian Bread
2 Large Ripe Tomatoes or 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes
1 Cucumber
1/2 Red Onion (or white onion, or scallions)
1/3 cup Pitted Italian Olives (or other olives)
4 sprigs Thyme or Oregano (or other herb)
10 sprigs Parsley
1/4 cup Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar10 Basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Kosher Salt (to taste)
Fresh ground Pepper (to taste)

Directions:
1. Cut up the bread into 1inch cubes and place into a salad bowl.
2. Cut the tomato and cucumber slices into bite-sized pieces. Place in the bowl.
3. Dice the onion and add to bowl.
4. Slice the olives in half and add.
5. Remove the thyme, oregano and parsley leaves from their stems, and chop the leaves. Add all chopped herbs. Toss well with clean hands.
6. Add the oil and vinegar and stir. Taste the salad and season to taste.
7. Add basil leaves and sliced olives to garnish and serve.


Tip: if cucumbers are not available or in season, you can use Summer Squash instead!

Nutritional highlights on Italian Herbs:
Basil is a good source of dietary fiber, and many vitamins and minerals. Basil is said to improve the immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems. It even relieves the itchy feeling from bug bites if you rub it on your skin! And for vegetarians - its a great source of protein!

Parsley contains the antioxidants Vitamin C and A, and is a good source for iron and beta carotene.

"Eddy and I have a blast at the Marble Hill Youthmarket on 225th and Broadway in the Bronx. The people there our so nice and teaching others about health and cooking is such a great thing to do. I enjoy helping others become healthier. People sometimes stick around to listen to everything we have to say, sometimes not. I look forward to every Thursday and going back to work at the youth market. Come visit us every Thursday!" – Daniel Vladimirsky