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Italian Panzanella Salad with Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes

Fruity, salty, sweet, and tangy sharp, with pan-crisped croutons to absorb all that juicy flavor goodness, this Italian panzanella salad with Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes is calling your name!

Italian Panzanella Salad with Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes | Letty's Kitchen

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Panzanella—don’t you love how this four-syllable word rolls off your tongue? Pant-sa-nell-a. A salad invented to use up days-old bread.

I used to shy away from panzanella recipes, imagining soggy bread with veggies, an image that didn’t quite jive with such a toothsome word!

Ingredients for Italian Panzanella Salad with Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes

No more thinking like that–this recipe’s olive oil-toasted artisan bread croutons erase all panzanella shyness–no sodden bread here. The croutons keep their crunch even as they take on tangy red wine vinegar, olive oil, and tomato juiciness.

Initially, I came up with this particular panzanella when a head of barely-bitter leafy lettuce-like escarole showed up in our farm share box. But when I went to share the recipe here on the blog, nary a head of escarole could be found. What to do–this panzanella salad with Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes is too delicious not to share.

Thinking it over, I decided romaine lettuce could stand in.  The flavor and texture of romaine is surprisingly similar to escarole. Bingo! Turns out romaine lettuce, slightly wilted in garlic-rich olive oil, makes a totally scrumptious, deliciously toothsome panzanella salad!

Italian Panzanella Salad with Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes overhead

Italian Panzanella Salad with Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes notes:

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Nutrition information is meant to be an estimate only. The numbers will vary based on the quantity consumed, brands used and substitutions that are made.

Nutrition Facts
Italian Panzanella Salad with Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 69 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 214mg9%
Potassium 275mg8%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1221IU24%
Vitamin C 28mg34%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

2 comments

  • I love escarole, but when I posted a salad recipe with it (years ago) it was NOT a hit, so apparently people either can’t find it or don’t want to pay the extra money! I think you’re smart to sub romaine, much more readily available! Reply · 11 September, 2017

  • Thanks Kalyn. And it’s amazing how similar romaine is to the leafy escarole. Reply · 11 September, 2017

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