Parsley Pesto and Burst Heirloom Cherry Tomato Crostini…I am convinced…is why my tastebuds were born.
Fluffy bunches of fresh parsley whirled with good olive oil, a couple plump cloves of garlic and a hefty swirl of grated gold (grated Parmigiano) give garden fresh flavor a whole new meaning.
Crusty bread toasted up with perfectly charred edges, a nice dollop of parsley pesto topped with melty cherry tomatoes and we’ve got ourselves a stunning appetizer.
It doesn’t take much to orchestrate a beautiful meal at the end of a lazy summer day. Dining outside under a sun getting ready for bed while tiny stars come out to play makes summer summer…outdoor table, twinkle lights, ceramic plates, sturdy wine glasses, cloth napkins, parsley pesto crostini…
Would you agree that it’s the simple pleasures that sometimes hold the greatest power?
The noise of a bottle being uncorked, a family of cicadas singing in the distance and the delicious sounds of crunchy bread being devoured.
Pointed bread poking its crusty face out of a paper sleeve…bowls brimming with tiny sweet tomatoes the colors of a fire-y summer sun…waxy boxes busting at the seams with just picked produce…soft green grass tickling our toes…
This crostini is the catalyst for a satisfying evening. Paired with a cold bottle of Pinot, the musical stylings of Moonstruck, and a pal who’s happy to settle in with crisp wine and heavily adorned toast.
That’s my kind of night…
What’s your ideal summer night? I’d love to know!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Parsley Pesto and Burst Heirloom Cherry Tomato Crostini
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Parsley Pesto and Burst Heirloom Cherry Tomato Crostini…I am convinced…is why my tastebuds were born.
Ingredients
- 1 large baguette, sliced on the diagonal about 1/2 inch thick slices
- 2 – 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 big bunches (3 cups) parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 plump garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano
- Salt to taste
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Arrange baguette slices on a large rimmed baking sheet and lightly brush both sides of the bread with oil.
- Bake until golden, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- In the meantime, place clean parsley (minus the stems) in a food processor.
- Add 1/4 cup olive oil and chopped garlic.
- Pulse until you have a slightly chunky sauce.
- Add the remaining oil while processing.
- Stop once or twice to scrape down the sides.
- Stir in the cheese and season with salt. Place in a small serving bowl and set aside.
- Next, in a large sauté pan over medium heat, add olive oil and all the cherry tomatoes in one layer.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until tomatoes begin to lose their round shape.
- Remove from heat and place in a serving bowl.
- Remove bread from oven.
- Top each crostini with pesto and tomatoes.
- Serve at room temperature.
A few other Ciao Chow Bambina favorites…
Creamy Ricotta, Prosciutto & Sweet Peaches with Honey Crostini
Italian Chicken with Basil Pesto & Grape Tomatoes
CIAO!
I agree simple things are the BEST. You make the BEST crostinis, Annie. And this one is no exception. What a wonderful way to use cherry tomatoes. So much in love with vibrant colors and summery flavors! Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you, Anu! Let’s hear it for summery flavors!! Have a beautiful weekend, my friend!
Oh heck yeah, this is why all of our tastebuds were born! Annie, I’m always so inspired and honestly, quite hungry every time I swing by CCB. I love how you always come up with most impressive recipes that are actually easy to make (bless you for that!!) The photo of parsley pesto is just everything. 🙂 And if you talk about crusty bread or a nice bottle any longer, I’m gonna have to call off for the day and swing by your house. Just sayin’. 😉 My ideal summer night: an evening bbq outside, with friends and family. Just chatting, eating, and creating some good vibes together. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, my friend. <3 Pinning, of course! xo
Your ideal summer night is perfection! Nothin’ better than that! Thanks for swinging by! You know I love when you do! Have a wonderful weekend, dear! xo
I’m giving my family notice that I’m just going to step into my computer screen and eat crostini with you guys under the stars. Reading that was like taking a mini vacation…so peaceful, relaxing and delicious! I’d make a meal out of these any day!
Yaaaas!! We need to make that happen someday! Thank you so much, my friend! I love that that felt like a mini vacation…. So sweet! xo
This crostini is so perfect I could make a meal out of it. Love the parsley pesto with heirloom tomatoes. I can just imagine how light and fresh this tastes.
The flavors absolutely pop! Thank you so much, Jen! 🙂
It’s definitely my kind of night, what you’re describing! Can I come over tonight? You free? 🙂
Man, does this look good. I’d eat them all and guzzle a bottle of wine easily. What a great way to end the day!
We are free! We’ll be ready for you! 🙂
Simply mouthwatering, and your photos are absolutely stunning!
Thank you so much, Kari!! 🙂
Your ideal evening sounds perfect especially if this beautiful dish is involved! Our grass is totally suffering right now from the heat too but we do have a ton of garden basil and tomatoes and this is the perfect dish to use some up! It looks amazing, Annie!
It’s easy to look past the dry lawns when garden basil and homegrown tomatoes are involved!! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
This crostini looks amazing! I love the parsley pesto- sounds delicious 🙂 Pinning!
It has such a fresh flavor! Thanks, Medha!
I love an easy dinner alfresco ideas, Annie – this ones the perfect way to enjoy the warm summer evenings with a cold glass of white wine. I’m a big fan of parsley pesto – I really like it’s mild taste. I love the sautéed cherry tomatoes too! Here’s to summer nights.
Here’s to summer nights! Cheers, my friend!
Oh Annie, I love a great crostni and this is just fabulous! I’m seriously eating with my eyes and so wishing I could reach through the screen and grab the whole tray! Aren’t summer evenings just the best?! I love hearing all the crickets come out and in your case… the fireflies 😉 What a perfect little snack, hell I’d make it dinner, to have while enjoying those wonderful summer nights.
I know exactly how you feel because that’s precisely how I feel every time I visit your site!! This is a perfect snack… I could munch on them all day! Thanks, friend!
These are stunning. I know u called them an appetizer but this is breakfast, lunch and dinner ?. Love all the fresh flavors and heirloom tomatoes! Take care.
I so agree – this is a multifunctional meal – functions at every meal! hahaha! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Our yard is being overtaken with basil – YAY!! Fresh basil just around the corner. And your crostini look perfect — for a snack or a meal. I do miss all of the fresh veggies once the frost hits 🙁 I guess that’s why I appreciate recipes like your grape tomato crostini and your roasted grape ones have me wanting to go to the store and pick up a bunch so I can make the crostini. Buona serata!!
Overtaken by basil? Dream come true! Oh nooo – I can’t think about the frost yet! I’m always ready when it arrives, but I’m not ready yet! 🙂 Thank you so much, my friend!!
Well my idea of a perfect summer night sounds EXACTLY like yours. Extra wine and crostini please. 🙂 It truly is the simple, small things in life that make living so grande. I always love your writing, and this post has me wanting to stop working and whip up some crostini, crack open a bottle of wine and relax while taking in the sweet summer air and the company of Boy and Dolce (my Dolce.. not yours! lol) …. if only I could get rid of the pesky mosquitoes and unbearable heat. Anyways, this crostini is GORGEOUS, Annie! Those burst tomatoes are everything! But combined with some pesto and generously topped on some crusty, fabulous bread?! Heaven! I am thinking I should skip dinner and just do this instead! Pinned! Cheers, lovely! xoxo
Extra wine and crostini coming right up! We need to get our Dolce’s together! <3 Thanks for stopping by my friend! And thanks for the pin! Cheers! xoxo
Hi Annie
This dish is visually stunning. Knowing the flavors you are speaking I know this dish is so delicious and those sounds you so brilliantly described are music to my ears. Love this dish, love the poetic language describing summer experience. Well done Annie. Have a great week.
Loreto
Hi Loreto, Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend. It’s incredible what we can hear if we stop and listen long enough…
Love heirloom tomatoes! Great colors, so delicious! Pinned!
This is a good one! Thanks for the pin, Mira!! 🙂
Mmm Annie, my mouth is watering! I can literally eat this for lunch everyday, delicious!
It’s a perfect summer meal, morning, noon and night! 🙂
I could eat a plate of these for lunch! They look so fantastic, and so beautiful with the bold green pesto and brightly colored heirlooms. It’s a bit of summer perfection!
Indeed…they barely make it to the plate once I have them topped and ready to go! Thanks, friend!
The colors of these crostini are just amazing. This is all I need for dinner….along with a nice glass of wine.
Don’t you just love when dinner can be served so simply, quickly and deliciously?! Thanks, Kathy!!
Oh, Annie, you have the best style of writing…so descriptive! And, yes I agree that sometimes the simplest things are the best! I’m all over this recipe. This is just perfect Friday night eats, in my opinion….with that wine, of course 😉 I love nights that I can sit on the deck with hubby when there’s no strong wind and it’s just calm. We try to enjoy the warmer Summer months while we can. We love bits and bites like this and I’m sure we would have a platter to eat as we just relaxed. Pinned, of course 🙂
Thank you for that compliment, my friend…I love to write so that means a lot to me! Oh yeahhh – this would be a perfect Friday night event for you and your hubby! Bits and bites on a warm and windless summer evening…doesn’t get any better than that! xoxo
Mmm pesto is my favorite, but I’ve never tried a parsley version before. This sounds like the perfect summer appetizer! And I have a feeling I would devour it ALL in no time!
Parsley pesto is so bright tasting! We love it… I highly recommend it! Thanks, friend! 🙂