Fatosh

Ingredients

• •6 pieces of stale bread or 2 small loaves of white Arabic (pita) bread
• •4 fully ripened juicy tomatoes, diced
• •3 small cucumbers, diced
• •3 to 4 green onions, chopped
• •4 radishes, diced
• •half a green pepper, diced (optional)
• •2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• •4 teaspoons chopped fresh mint or 2 teaspoons crumbled dry mint
• •1 teaspoon salt
• •1 to 2 cloves garlic
• •2 tablespoons cider vinegar or lemon juice
• •3 tablespoons olive oil
• •red hot pepper flakes to taste

Directions

1. 1Toast bread on both sides, in toaster or in the oven until golden brown. Cool and break into tiny pieces (the size of large grapes) and place in a big salad bowl. If the tomatoes you are using have little juice, place the bread under a bit of running water to moisten before breaking. Be careful not to oversoak. If tomatoes are well ripened and juicy enough the water is unnecessary, the tomatoes will lend their juices to the bread and moisten it.
2. 2Add vegetables and herbs. Using a mortar and pestle, combine salt and garlic and crush until fine. Add vinegar (or lemon juice) and oil and mix well. Pour over bread and vegetable mixture. Stir well. Add red hot pepper flakes if desired. Adjust seasonings and refrigerate until mealtime.