Pan Con Tomate

What is Pan con Tomate?

Pan con Tomate, also known as Pa amb Tomàquet in Catalonia, is a traditional Spanish dish made by rubbing ripe tomatoes onto toasted bread, then finishing it with extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. It’s one of Spain’s simplest and most loved recipes.

Is Pan con Tomate Spanish?

Yes. Pan con Tomate originates from the Catalonia region of Spain, where it’s known as Pa amb Tomàquet. Today it’s enjoyed throughout Spain as a breakfast, snack, tapas dish or side.

What does Pan con Tomate mean?

Pan con Tomate literally translates to “bread with tomato” in Spanish. Despite its simplicity, the combination of toasted bread, ripe tomatoes, olive oil and salt creates an incredibly flavourful dish.

What are the ingredients for Pan con Tomate?

Traditional Pan con Tomate only requires a few ingredients:

• Crusty bread
• Ripe tomatoes
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt
• Some people also rub the toast with fresh garlic for extra flavour.

What is the best bread for Pan con Tomate?

A rustic crusty loaf works best, such as sourdough, ciabatta or country bread. The bread should be crisp on the outside while still soft enough to soak up the tomato juice and olive oil.

What tomatoes are best for Pan con Tomate?

Use very ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavour. Vine tomatoes, beef tomatoes or plum tomatoes all work well, as they release plenty of juice when grated or rubbed onto the bread.

Do you grate or rub the tomato?

Traditionally, the tomato is cut in half and rubbed directly onto toasted bread until only the skin remains. Many modern recipes grate the tomato first before spooning it over the toast, which creates a similar result.

Is Pan con Tomate healthy?

Yes. Pan con Tomate is naturally packed with fresh tomatoes, heart-healthy olive oil and minimal ingredients. It’s a simple Mediterranean recipe that’s full of flavour without needing processed ingredients.

Is Pan con Tomate a breakfast or tapas dish?

It’s both. In Spain, Pan con Tomate is commonly eaten for breakfast but is also served throughout the day as tapas, a light lunch or alongside grilled meats and seafood.

How do you stop Pan con Tomate from becoming soggy?

Toast the bread until it’s crisp and only add the tomato immediately before serving. Avoid overly watery tomatoes or letting the assembled toast sit for too long.

Is Pan con Tomate vegan?

Yes. Traditional Pan con Tomate is naturally vegan as it’s simply bread, tomatoes, olive oil and salt.

How long does grated tomato keep?

Fresh grated tomato is best used immediately but can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Stir before serving.