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While living in Sicily, my diet revolved around a few main staples during the warmer months: tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, olive oil, and bread. I never grew tired of simple dishes like Insalata Caprese and Bruschetta al Pomodoro and I don’t think I ever will. Each year, as the weather warms up, I start looking forward to tomato season, knowing it will bring plates of layered tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and trays of toasted bread topped with chopped tomato to my table once again.
But while the days are getting hotter, it’s not quite tomato season yet. Luckily, my Dad and my Grandpa have both planted plenty of tomatoes again this year, so we will soon have more tomatoes than we can eat. In the meantime, I decided to satisfy my bruschetta craving with another sweet red fruit that currently is in season here in the valley: strawberries.
I had never made strawberry bruschetta before, but I’ve heard of people making it and I knew the flavors would work. I’ve seen some recipes that add sugar to the berries to make a sweeter topping, but that’s not what I was after. I treated the strawberries much like I treat tomatoes in the same application, tossing the fruit with vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. I added some fresh chopped basil, but I think mint would be nice as well. I also threw in a pinch of crushed red pepper because I enjoy a bit of heat, but it’s entirely optional.
If you have some on hand, try spreading a layer of softened goat cheese on the bread before topping with the strawberries. We found it to be a delicious variation.
Strawberry Bruschetta
Serves 8
1 pint strawberries, hulled and chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
pinch of salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)
1 baguette of French- or Italian-style bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices
extra basil for garnish (optional)
In a medium bowl, mix strawberries, vinegar, oil, basil, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Set aside to let the berries release their juice. Arrange dry bread slices on a baking sheet and toast on both sides under a broiler (this can be done in batches). Arrange toasted bread slices on a platter. Stir the strawberry mixture then top each piece of bread with a spoonful of the berries, including a bit of the liquid with each spoonful. Garnish bruschetta with basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.
Related Recipes:
Around the Web:
- Slow-Roasted Tomato Bruschetta from The Perfect Pantry
- Kiwi and Serrano Ham Bruschetta from What We’re Eating
- Strawberry, Banana, and Nutella Panini from Panini Happy
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Almonds and Dill from Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Strawberry Lavender Lemonade from Andrea Meyers
- Fresh Roasted Pepper and Olive Bruschetta from Sass & Veracity
- Strawberries 101 from Food Blogga
Cannot wait to give this a try this summer. Looks and sounds absolutely incredible.
10:05 am May 15th, 2012I’ve never considered strawberries for bruschetta – but I love balsamic vinegar with strawberries. Genius! Can’t wait to try this…
10:27 am May 15th, 2012Yum! I would drizzle with chocolate syrup (perhaps ruining the culinary finesse of it all). I’ll be trying this soon!
11:37 am May 15th, 2012Simple, but so very tasty and pleasant!
11:56 am May 15th, 2012Nicole, you’re back! I love this bruschetta, the goat cheese option seem incredible.
12:01 pm May 15th, 2012So, so tempting … I don’t love goat cheese so may try with brie or fresh mozz. I love that you made it more savory than sweet – totally up my ally!
12:25 pm May 15th, 2012I wonder how roasted garlic would taste with the strawberries. I do love both of the flavors. I happen to have have both, so I may give that a try. 🙂
1:20 pm May 15th, 2012These look SO good! Thanks for posting the recipe, I love strawberries with basalmic vinegar. Once in a sushi restuarant they made us little rolls with strawberries, mint, and basalmic. So good.
1:37 pm May 15th, 2012Yay! I was just looking at your blog the other day and thinking about how much I missed your posts! Glad to see you back!
2:54 pm May 15th, 2012This looks stunning! Can’t wait to try it!
2:58 pm May 15th, 2012The picture makes me smile. It just says summer all over. 😀 I’ll have to try this.
3:01 pm May 15th, 2012The photo makes me want to run to my kitchen and make these as an after dinner “nibble”!
5:44 pm May 15th, 2012This looks so delicious! And the color is beautiful!
6:52 pm May 15th, 2012Yum yum yum!! Looks delicious
9:56 pm May 15th, 2012Yummm when I saw this on facebook I new I had to make it immediately. It’s really interesting that you can treat it the same way you would treat a tomato and it’s still delicious! Brilliant =)
7:50 am May 16th, 2012Thanks so much for including one of my bruschetta recipes. I love the idea of strawberries here.
7:59 am May 16th, 2012The strawberries at the market are perfectly sweet right now, and I know they would taste so good in this pretty bruschetta. Great springtime recipe!
12:30 pm May 16th, 2012Wow, I love strawberries and balsamic together, but have never taken the next step to make something like this– this looks awesome.
Anyway, I was just stopping by to say that I’ve nominated you for the ‘One Lovely Blog’ Award! Your blog is truly lovely and somehow we must have very similar taste in food, because your recipe index reads like my daydream eating-list. Also, your photos are all absolutely gorgeous… so thank you! (For more information about the award, and how to pass it on, please stop by spontaneous tomato.)
8:25 am May 17th, 2012This is a fabulous idea!!! I will have to try it sometime!!!!
9:40 am May 17th, 2012Nicole, really glad to see you back! You were sorely missed!
The strawberry bruschetta looks fabulous; this one is definitely going in my “try soon” list. We’re having a barbecue this weekend and it would be perfect!
7:59 pm May 17th, 2012NEVER would have thought of combining the flavors of strawberries and balsamic vinegar, but I do love strawberries AND goat cheese. This sounds interesting and I’m always up to trying new things, especially with flavors I know I love.
Interesting all the different places you have lived! We live on the east coast and just told hubby the other day I’d love to get out to California to see the other side of the country! 🙂
7:18 am May 21st, 2012That looks incredible! Especially for summertime!
1:56 pm May 22nd, 2012I never thought that mixing balsamic vinegar and strawberries would work, but you proved me wrong :). My wife made it over the weekeend and the whole family really enjoyed it!
6:50 am May 23rd, 2012Balsamico and strawberries? Never heard of that combination before, but nor I did hear about other shocking combination and it always turned out extremely well. Unfortunately I’m allergic to tomatoes so I need to alter my dishes slightly all the time, however I can try this desert without any changes. Where did you find it?
2:42 am May 27th, 2012I’m often looking at restaurant menus and trying to find recipes for their dishes online, it’s a really good source of inspiration. Have you seen this year’s world best restaurants guide? I love NOMA, it’s a Danish restaurant where my best friend took me a year ago. Their food is pure indulgence! And they won this year! Made me very happy!
Have a nice Sunday guys 😉
Looks divine – photo is making me hungry (but it is 11:30 am). Truly beautiful photographs. I recently stumbled upon and later blogged a Strawberry Balsamic Mojito. OMG was it terrific – same combination of sweet and savory. It’s at http://fresnosfabulous52.blogspot.com/2012/04/balsamic-strawberry-mojito-and-easy.html. Give it a try. Very refreshing and probably terrific with your bruchetta!!
11:28 am May 31st, 2012YUM! I love strawberries and balsamic.
4:03 pm May 31st, 2012That looks really CRAZY good! Can’t wait to try it. Strawberry picking season opens this weekend in Sharon, MA.
8:21 am Jun 13th, 2012Oh my goodness! This looks amazing!! Can’t wait to try this recipe out. 🙂
4:03 pm Jul 17th, 2012I am making this scrumptious-looking recipe ASAP! Even though it’s September now and obviously no longer anywhere near strawberry season- I don’t care! My mouth is watering 🙂
12:37 pm Sep 4th, 2012The color ALONE is fabulous; however, given the “season” try roasted green (or red) seedless grapes on top of goat cheese!! Delish!
12:39 pm Sep 4th, 2012Always wanted to try the balsamic strawberry combo. Looks amazing. We have great strawberries in Scotland too, so there’s no excuse.
1:42 am Oct 10th, 2012Nice pic look this yummy , thank for recip
10:32 am Jan 7th, 2013Looks absolutely amazing. Must make this summer and spring.
12:22 pm Jan 15th, 2013Looks really delicius! A creative recipe, i´ll do it very soon!
Regards,
@@photorecipe
2:42 am Jan 23rd, 2013This is just such a delicious treat. It’s amazing what a good quality balsamic over fresh fruit will do. Spring is here-we’ll have to make this!
9:03 am Mar 28th, 2013@cravelocal
Fantastic idea, never seen such bruschettas before. It really makes me hungry and I’ll have to do this tomorrow. Regards.
11:47 am May 7th, 2013Amazing blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring
5:43 am May 16th, 2013writers? I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thank you!
It looks so appetizing. I can’t wait.
10:36 am Jun 15th, 2013