La Cialledda

Cialledda is a typical salad of Lucanian cuisine, including Policoro. This dish is a great option for summer days because it is served cold and is very refreshing. The ingredients of cialledda vary according to recipes and production areas, but in general they involve stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion and peppers.Here is a basic recipe for making cialledda:Ingredients:Stale bread (preferably durum wheat)Ripe tomatoesBell peppersCucumbersRed onionBlack olives (optional)Fresh basilExtra virgin olive oilSalt and black pepper to taste.Preparation:Cut the stale bread into cubes and let it soften in water for a few minutes.Cut the tomatoes into cubes and place them in a bowl.Cut the peppers and cucumbers into cubes and add them to the bowl.Add the thinly sliced onion and black olives (if desired).Add the softened and well squeezed bread to the bowl.Add chopped fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, salt and black pepper to taste.Mix all ingredients together until you have a well-blended cialledda.Store in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.Cialledda can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish to accompany meat or fish dishes.