Pangritata is known as “poor-man’s Parmesan” because it is a low-cost sprinkle condiment you can add to anything like pasta or pizza for a spicy, satisfying and crunchy bite. Even better, it is a sustainable way to use up bread crumbs or bread that you may not be able to eat right away. This works really well with the soft inside of a bread loaf. Use the hard outside crust in a bread pudding or as croutons.

Break the bread up into rough crumbs with your fingers, making sure not to squish them. Spread them flat on a baking sheet and dehydrate for an hour at 170 degrees F. Alternatively, toast them in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn off the oven, crack it open with a wooden spoon and let it cool completely. You can also leave them in the closed oven overnight.

The breadcrumbs should be flinty and hard, no sign of moisture whatsoever.

In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toss to coat. Add the garlic, pepper, and herbs. Continue to saute for 5 minutes until the garlic is browned and the crumbs are crispy. Turn off the heat and add the lemon zest.

Drain the crumbs on a pan lined with paper towels. When the pangritata is completely cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for one week. 

I'm sprinkling this stuff on everything! Cheese, pasta, scrambled eggs.

What do you use it for? Tell me by tweeting to @Randwiches.