Yesterday, during the program "È sempre mezzogiorno" hosted by Antonella Clerici on Rai1, chef and baker Fulvio Marino presented the Jubilee Bread, a creation dedicated to the Holy Year. It celebrates sharing and solidarity, featuring the design of the Franciscan cross (T). The event highlighted a meaningful practice: suspended bread, a gesture of generosity that combines the symbolism of bread with the culture of mutual help. In Italy, and these days also in Rome, bakeries are increasingly donating unsold baked goods in the evening. Customers can, in turn, leave suspended bread—already paid for—available for those who cannot afford to buy it. But what exactly is suspended bread, and why is bread, an often underestimated food, so important from a nutritional perspective?
Suspended Bread: A Gesture of Solidarity
The concept of suspended bread originates as an adaptation of the Neapolitan tradition of the suspended coffee, allowing anyone to leave a paid coffee for someone unable to afford it. Similarly, suspended bread invites bakery customers to buy an extra loaf and leave it "suspended" for someone in need. This initiative, already adopted in many Italian cities, is not just an act of charity but a powerful symbol: bread, a universal food shared by every culture, becomes a means to reduce inequality and create a network of concrete support.
Why Bread Is a Fundamental Food
From a nutritional standpoint, bread is much more than just an accompaniment to meals. It is a valuable source of energy and nutrients, especially when chosen in its richer and more wholesome variations. As a source of complex carbohydrates, bread provides long-term energy, ideal for sustaining the body throughout the day. Moreover, its fiber content, particularly in wholegrain bread, contributes to intestinal health and blood sugar control. Bread also provides plant-based proteins, essential for maintaining muscle mass, particularly in a balanced diet. Additionally, wholegrain and multigrain bread are rich in B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
The Recipe for Homemade Jubilee Bread
Chef Fulvio Marino, during the preparation of the Jubilee Bread, emphasized the importance of selecting high-quality flours and slow leavening processes. This not only enhances the bread's flavor and digestibility but also preserves its nutritional value, reducing the risk of blood sugar spikes associated with refined products. Here are the ingredients for Fulvio Marino's recipe:
- 350 g of type-1 flour
- 150 g of semolina
- 150 g of sourdough starter
- 300 g of water
- 12.5 g of salt
The dough should be left to rise for 3 hours at room temperature. Then, the loaves are formed and left to rise for another hour at room temperature. Afterward, smaller loaves are shaped, placed in flour-dusted baskets, and left to rise for 7 hours in the refrigerator. Finally, they are baked in the oven at 250°C (482°F) for 15 minutes, then at 220°C (428°F) for another 15 minutes. This method guarantees a longer shelf life.
Jubilee Bread: A Symbol of Community
The Jubilee Bread presented by Marino is a tribute to spirituality and sharing. Made with flours from ancient grains and a mix of cereals, it represents simplicity and authenticity, qualities that should always be central to our diet. The Jubilee is an opportunity to reflect not only on the meaning of faith but also on the importance of food as an element of unity. In this context, suspended bread perfectly embodies the message of solidarity and inclusion. Bread, in fact, is not just food but a universal symbol of life, hope, and sharing. Initiatives like suspended bread remind us that health is not just physical well-being but also the result of a supportive social fabric. Jubilee Bread, with its nod to tradition and community, thus becomes more than just a recipe—it is an invitation to reflect on how every action, even the simplest one, can make a difference. The next time we buy a loaf of bread, let us think of its symbolic and nutritional value. And why not leave suspended bread for someone in need? A small gesture with a big impact.
