- slipper
- worn-out shoe
- 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.
Click on the button to hear me pronounce the Italian words mentioned in the post:
or launch the ciabatta audio file [mp3].
[Depending on your set-up, the audio file will be played within the browser or by your mp3 player application. Please, contact me if you encounter any problems.]
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.
Posted by: Susan | June 21, 2007 at 02:49 AM
Well said, Susan! And your mention of baguette suggested another interesting word: I will write about it soon.
Posted by: Simona Carini | June 22, 2007 at 01:59 PM
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
Posted by: Paz | June 23, 2007 at 08:52 AM