Bruschetta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bruschetta (pron. brus'ket'ta in English, /bɾu'sketta/ in Italian, /bru'SHETT'a/ in Adam's house[1] and NOT to pronounce /brushet'ta/) is a food whose origin dates to at least the 15th century from central Italy. It consists of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Variations may include toppings of spicy red pepper, tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, and/or cheese; the most popular American recipe involves basil, fresh mozzarella, and tomato. Bruschetta is usually served as a snack or appetizer. In Italy, Bruschetta is often prepared using a brustolina grill. In Tuscany, bruschetta is called fettunta, meaning "oiled slice".
[edit] Tradition
When olives are taken to the local mill for pressing in November or December, the growers typically take some country bread with them. There is usually a small fireplace burning in the corner of the pressing room, and when the oil emerges from the press, the grower toasts a bit of the bread on the fire to sample the oil with. The next step is rubbing the toasted bread with garlic and adding a pinch of salt.
[edit] Pronunciation
In Italian, bruschetta is pronounced [brusˈket:a], though in English-speaking countries it is commonly and incorrectly pronounced /brəˈʃɛtə/. The noun "bruschetta" is from the verb in the Roman dialect "bruscare," meaning "to roast over coals." Following a process in historical linguistics known as semantic shift,[original research?] the meaning of the word has changed in US so that now some Americans use the word "bruschetta" to refer to the topping instead of the dish. Many grocery store chains in the United States sell bottled "bruschetta," which is simply tomatoes, onion, garlic and other herbs. For the real bruschetta are always used fresh tomatoes and not tomato sauce.
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