Cucuzzara (Squash Bread With Tomatoes, Onions)

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Servings: 4 Difficulty: Advanced
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A rustic, savory Italian focaccia-style bread loaded with sweet roasted squash, peppers, and onions.
Cucuzzara (Squash Bread With Tomatoes~ Onions recipe image

This Cucuzzara is a hearty, savory bread from Southern Italy that transforms simple squash and vegetables into a comforting meal. The dough, enriched with olive oil and durum flour, yields a soft, tender crumb that perfectly absorbs the flavors of the roasted filling. Inside, you’ll find a medley of sweet butternut squash, savory tomatoes, and caramelized onions, all held together by a slightly chewy, elastic bread structure. It’s an excellent centerpiece for a vegetarian dinner or a perfect side dish for a light lunch. Warm from the oven, it offers a beautiful contrast of textures and tastes that brings a taste of tradition to your kitchen table.

Cucuzzara (Squash Bread With Tomatoes~ Onions recipe image
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Cucuzzara (Squash Bread With Tomatoes, Onions)

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 4 Calories: 407.8

Description

This Cucuzzara is a hearty, savory bread from Southern Italy that transforms simple squash and vegetables into a comforting meal. The dough, enriched with olive oil and durum flour, yields a soft, tender crumb that perfectly absorbs the flavors of the roasted filling. Inside, you'll find a medley of sweet butternut squash, savory tomatoes, and caramelized onions, all held together by a slightly chewy, elastic bread structure. It&# 226;ÂÂs an excellent centerpiece for a vegetarian dinner or a perfect side dish for a light lunch. Warm from the oven, it offers a beautiful contrast of textures and tastes that brings a taste of tradition to your kitchen table.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Peel and dice 2/3 lb of butternut squash into small cubes.
  2. Roast 1 red bell pepper until charred, then peel, seed, and cut into strips.
  3. Peel, seed, and dice 4 oz of tomatoes.
  4. About one hour before baking, warm 1/4 cup of olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
  5. Add the sliced onions and sauté until soft but still slightly crunchy.
  6. Add the diced squash and pepper strips to the skillet.
  7. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  8. Uncover, add the diced tomatoes, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat and allow the vegetable mixture to cool completely.
  10. Stir dried yeast into warm water and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
  11. Add the durum flour biga to the yeast mixture and mix well.
  12. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil.
  13. Fold the cooled vegetable mixture into the wet ingredients.
  14. Gradually add the remaining durum flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  15. Knead with wet hands until the dough is smooth, velvet-like, and elastic.
  16. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 3 hours until doubled in size.
  17. Preheat oven to 400ðF (204ðC).
  18. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and shape each into a long cylinder.
  19. Place loaves on floured baking sheets, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour until well doubled.
  20. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 407.8kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 45.0g70%
Saturated Fat 6.3g32%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 1.0mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 2.3g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugars 1.1g
Protein 0.3g1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: cucuzzara, squash bread, italian bread, butternut squash, vegetable focaccia, durum flour, roasted peppers, onion bread, vegan bread, rustic bread, tomato bread, homemade bread, savory bread, biga starter, italian cooking, vegetarian dinner
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