Tomato is one of the symbolic foods of Italian cuisine. Undisputed king for pasta sauces in the collective imagination, as well as a must for pizza, it finds its place in many traditional dishes. One of these is the pappa al pomodoro, so well known that it became the title of a very famous song from the 60s. “Viva la pappa col pomodoro” sang Rita Pavone, underlining how it was a dish loved by everyone in an Italy that she was poorer than today.

In fact, the ingredients are simple and low-cost. As always, it is the skill of the cook who manages to transform natural foods into mouth-watering dishes. All you need is the right information, a little practice and a few tricks, and you too will know how to prepare an excellent Pappa al Pomodoro at home.

The origin of the Pappa al Pomodoro recipe

The Italian culinary tradition collects recipes at a regional level and each area is very proud of its own version. In this case, we can identify the original Pappa al Pomodoro in the Tuscan one, in particular the one that is handed down in Siena.

Although the tomato is a summer vegetable, given that it ripens under the hot Italian sun, it is good all year round. Indeed, it is the way to enjoy tomatoes even on cold days, when it is really a pleasure to eat something hot and raw tomatoes are a little less tasty than in August.

In fact, the basic ingredient is the sauce, which is the right way to ensure the taste of tomatoes even in winter.

The secret to the best tomato soup

In this regard, here is a secret to keep in mind: to prepare the Pappa al Pomodoro at home it is essential to make the home made tomato sauce; the final dish will have a completely different flavor.

Start with ripe tomatoes, cut them and throw them in boiling water for 1 minute on the clock.

After removing the seeds, pass the tomatoes through a sieve by hand (not with the blender) and collect in a container.

It may seem more convenient to use the ready-made puree in the bottle but you will see that this step will make a real difference.

How to make Tuscan Pappa al Pomodoro

Now that you have the base for the sauce, collect all the other ingredients. Attention: the choice of bread is also fundamental.

Of course it must be the Tuscan one, but it must also be stale. Since it is a poor and peasant recipe, it was the ideal way to recover old bread, when the loaves were made at home and consumed until the end.

Here are the ingredients to make the tomato soup (for 4 people):

• 800 grams of homemade passata

• 1 liter of vegetable broth

• 300 grams of stale Tuscan bread

• 2 cloves of garlic

• Salt – sugar – pepper – extra virgin olive oil

Cut the bread into slices and toast it in the oven in the heat for a few minutes.

Then rub the slices with the garlic cloves and place them on the bottom of a high-sided saucepan.

Pour over the vegetable broth and tomato sauce, and place everything on the stove. Continue cooking over low heat for at least 45 minutes.

Where to eat pappa al pomodoro in Florence

There are many typical dishes of Tuscany, among these, a particular place is occupied by pappa al pomodoro, a dish considered poor, but really delicious.

Born as a “bread saver”, in order to prevent hardened loaves from being thrown away, pappa al pomodoro is really easy and quick to prepare even at home, thanks above all to the few simple ingredients it is made of (bread, tomatoes, oil and flavorings).

Lovers of this traditional dish, however, cannot fail to taste the one prepared in a Tuscan restaurant, with respect for tradition and goodness.

So let’s see immediately below which are the best restaurants and taverns where you can taste pappa al pomodoro, focusing in particular on those located in the capital of the region, namely Florence.

Il Borro Tuscan Bistrot

Let’s start with a very refined restaurant, which overlooks the Arno and where a very high quality pappa al pomodoro is prepared, thanks to the search for the best specimens of tomatoes (here the variety of the Florentine rib is usually used) harvested to the point right, to which is added the other protagonist of the dish, i.e. stale bread, deprived of the crust so that the porridge does not get loaded with an excessive dose of starch, which would make it stringy. Complete the work with a drizzle of oil and a few fresh basil leaves.

The Holy Drinker

For this restaurant located near Palazzo Pitti, pappa al pomodoro represents the meeting point of the menu between the classicism and the modernity of other courses. According to the chef who works here, Luca Marin, the bread used is made “at home” thanks to the oven located not far from the restaurant, while the tomatoes are both fresh and tinned; a good dose of oil and basil can never be missing. But apart from the excellent ingredients, the fundamental element for making a self-respecting pappa al pomodoro is, according to the chef, the passion for the dish itself, which can and must be cooked only with calm and love.

Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò

In the heart of Florence stands this ancient tavern which is very quiet, as in principle it is not overrun by tourists. Here too it is possible to taste a first-class pappa al pomodoro, made with lightly salted bread from which most of the starch is removed thanks to a long conservation in a slightly heated oven.

Osteria Pepo

We close the circle with another tavern, also located in the center of Florence, which also has the everlasting pappa al pomodoro as its main dish, which is cooked here using traditional Tuscan bread, the one that generally makes people turn up their noses he is used to it, as it is totally devoid of salt. To this are added the traditional tomatoes, which can be fresh or peeled, but always top quality, as well as oil, basil, vegetable broth and a little leek, which gives this dish a totally unique flavor and aroma.

Come to Florence to taste the Pappa al Pomodoro

If you are curious and want to taste the Pappa al Pomodoro we are waiting for you at Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort for a relaxing stay in the beautiful Tuscan countryside a few kilometers from Florence.