Also known as Spanish tomato bread, pan con tomate is a flavorful dish from Catalonia, Spain.  

This traditional Spanish dish is commonly served at the beginning of a meal or as a tapa, which are a variety of bite-sized dishes enjoyed as snacks alongside drinks. 

Pan con tomate is made from rustic bread, ripe tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and salt. Variations of this dish may include additional toppings such as cheese, meat, or even anchovies.

The tomatoes are rubbed on the toasted or grilled bread. The bread is also rubbed with garlic, then drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with salt.   

This dish is especially popular in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia, but variations of it can be found throughout Spain.

Ingredients for pan con tomate

Pan con tomate can be made from the following ingredients:

Bread: Traditionally, rustic and crusty bread like ciabatta is used. The bread is usually toasted or grilled. 

Tomatoes: Ripe and flavorful tomatoes are typically used for their juiciness. 

Garlic: A clove of garlic is cut in half and rubbed onto the toasted bread to infuse it with a subtle garlic flavor. 

Olive oil: Olive oil is drizzled generously over the bread.  

Salt: A sprinkle of salt is added to taste. 

How to make pan con tomate  

• The bread is sliced lengthwise and toasted in a pre-heated oven until it becomes golden brown and slightly crispy. 
• While the bread is still warm, cut a clove of garlic in half and rub the cut side over the surface of the bread. This imparts a mild garlic flavor. 
• Cut the ripe tomatoes in half and rub the cut side directly over the garlic-rubbed bread as the juicy pulp and seeds of the tomato to soak into the bread, creating a moist and flavorful base. 
• Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the bread and tomatoes. Then sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt over the top to taste. 

Taste and Texture  

Pan con tomate has a flavor profile that is a blend of juicy tomatoes, garlic’s subtle pungency, and the richness of olive oil.   

The texture varies from the crispy bread exterior to the moist, tomato-infused interior. 

Pan con tomate vs bruschetta 

Pan con tomate is often compared with the Italian appetizer bruschetta. 

Although both feature toasted bread topped with a mixture of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and various seasonings, pan con tomate is simpler with minimal toppings and involves rubbing the juicy ripe tomatoes directly onto the bread, while bruschetta has a more elaborate presentation, featuring diced tomatoes mixed with garlic and basil on the toasted bread, often accompanied by additional garnishes. 

As such, bruschetta contains larger pieces of tomatoes, thereby creating a distinct texture.