The Italian appetizer made from toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes and olive oil is bruschetta.
Bruschetta is traditionally made by grilling or toasting slices of rustic bread, rubbing them with a cut garlic clove, and dressing them with extra-virgin olive oil. The popular tomato-topped version also uses chopped tomatoes, basil, and seasoning, although many regional toppings exist.
The name comes from the Roman dialect word bruscare, meaning “to roast over coals.” This points to the dish’s original connection with grilled bread and olive oil tasting, rather than to tomatoes alone. In central Italy, bruschetta could be served simply with oil, garlic, and salt.
Bruschetta is often confused with crostini. Bruschetta generally uses larger, thicker slices of grilled bread, while crostini are usually smaller and made from finely sliced, toasted bread. Both may carry similar toppings, so size and bread preparation are the main traditional distinction.