ciabatta

1. slipper
2. worn-out shoe
   
3. type of bread that is rather flat, comes in different sizes and is roughly rectangular in shape, with round corners. It is particularly suitable for making un panino imbottito, a sandwich. It is delicious and I am glad that it is known in this country too. The funny thing for me is that I remember when there was no ciabatta among the bread options available in the stores in Perugia, then one day it appeared on the shelves and it was an instant success. Even my mother, notoriously change-averse, was quickly converted. In my opinion it is not a bread that keeps well, which should be interpreted as an invitation to eat by the end of the day you buy it.

In Italy we say: una scarpa e una ciabatta (literally: a slipper and a shoe), equivalent to the English expression like chalk and cheese, to describe fundamentally different, or incompatible, things. I started with bread and end up with cheese: languages never cease to fascinate me.

Hear me pronounce the words and expressions on the ciabatta audio file [mp3] or go to the ciabatta audio page for more listening options.

Comments

[Susan]

Ciabatta is impossible to resist. Its crumb and crust textures do give it an old shoe look. Quite unique, it has replaced the French baguette as my favorite.
Someday I will bake it myself.

[Simona]

Well said, Susan! And your mention of baguette suggested another interesting word: I will write about it soon.

[Paz]

I love ciabatta (I love the sound of its pronounciation) and am happy that I can get it easily at my local grocery store.

Paz