Andalusian Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a traditional raw vegetable and bread-based soup from Spain. It is served cold and is perfect for the September heat we’re experiencing! The following recipe is from an American Public Media radio show, The Splendid Table. Feel free to improvise a bit.

Ingredients (serves 6):

• Four 1-inch-thick slices day-old coarse country bread from a round loaf, crusts removed, torn into small pieces (ask Russell’s Bakery which loaf would be best!)
• 3 pounds ripest, most flavorful tomatoes possible, washed and quartered (do not use beefsteak tomatoes)
• 4 tablespoons good-quality sherry vinegar, preferably aged
• 3 medium garlic cloves
• Small pinch of cumin seeds or ground cumin
• Coarse sea salt
• 2 firm medium-sized Kirby (pickling) cucumbers, peeled
• 2 medium sweet pepper, cored and seeded (see Gala Springs for in-season peppers)
• One quarter of a medium red onion, peeled
• 1/2 cup fragrant, fruity extra-virgin Spanish olive oil, preferably from Andalusia
• 1/2 cup bottled spring water, or more to taste

Garnish

• 2 to 3 tablespoons each finely diced cucumbers, peeled green apples, slightly underripe tomatoes, and green bell peppers
• Slivered young basil leaves

Directions

1. Place the bread in a large bowl, and squeeze out the seeds and some of the juice from the tomatoes over it. Crumble and massage the bread with your fingers. Add 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic to a paste with the cumin and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
3. Transfer the bread mixture to a food processor along with the garlic paste, and process until completely smooth. Leave this mixture in the food processor while preparing the next step.
4. Chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, red and green peppers, and onion into medium dice. Place the vegetables in a bowl, stir in three large pinches of salt, and let stand for 15 minutes so that the tomatoes throw off some liquid.
5. Working in three batches, process the vegetable mixture in a food processor until as smooth as possible, adding a third of the olive oil to each batch. (The first batch will be processed with the bread mixture.) Transfer each finished batch to a sieve set over a large bowl. If you do not have a food processor, don’t fret! Just dice the tomatoes and peppers to a smaller size! The texture will be different but the taste will be the same!
6. Pass the gazpacho through a sieve, pressing on it with the back of a wooden spoon. Whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar and the water. Adjust salt to taste. Chill the gazpacho for at least 3 hours before serving. (If making the gazpacho a day ahead, add the garlic 2 to 3 hours before serving, lest it overwhelm the other flavors.) Serve in glass bowls or wine glasses, with the suggested garnishes.