Panzanella with Ground Cherries

by Brenda Langton, Tastemaker in Residence Recipe by Market Chef Jenny Breen

Ingredients
16 Sun Gold tomatoes, halved
20 small husk cherries, husks removed, rinsed, and halved
1/4 small red onion, very thinly sliced
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, crushed
6 slices ciabatta or rustic Italian bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
2/3 cup Tomato Water, or vegetable stock
2 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1 cup freshly picked herbs, such as, mint, basil, tarragon, chives, and oregano, chopped
1 cup grated parmesan, asiago or similar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°.
  2. Place tomatoes, husk cherries, and onion in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
  3. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil; toss to combine and set aside.
  4. In a medium ovenproof skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, until lightly browned. Add bread and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until bread is crisp, about 12 minutes.
  5. Add bread to bowl with tomatoes, along with tomato water and vinegar; toss to combine.
  6. Let stand, occasionally tossing to evenly saturate, until liquid is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Add herbs and toss to combine; drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and cheese, if using, and serve immediately.