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Broad Bean and Vegetable Soup

17/11/2023

The broad bean and vegetable soup is a warm and comforting dish, typical of country cooking, that provides nutrients and satiety. We will vary the traditional recipe a bit to give it an Italian touch, enriching it with some ingredients typical of our Bel Paese.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of dried broad beans
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 stalk of celery
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 zucchini
  • 100 g of fresh spinach
  • 1 ripe tomato (or a few tablespoons of tomato puree)
  • 1 medium potato
  • 1.5 liters of vegetable broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 sprig of rosemary (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
  • Croutons or toasted bread to accompany

Preparation

  1. Start by soaking the broad beans the night before to soften them and reduce cooking time. The next day, drain and rinse them.
  2. Clean and cut the carrot, celery, onion, and potato into similarly sized cubes.
  3. In a large pot, heat two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent.
  4. Add the carrot, celery, and potato to the pot, letting them flavor for a couple of minutes with a pinch of salt.
  5. Add the broad beans, diced tomato (or tomato puree), vegetable broth or water, and a sprig of rosemary if you wish.
  6. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and let simmer for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the broad beans are soft.
  7. In the meantime, cut the zucchini into cubes and wash the spinach thoroughly.
  8. When the broad beans are almost done, add the zucchini and spinach, adjust salt and pepper, and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
  9. Once the vegetables are cooked and the broad beans are soft, you can choose to leave the soup as it is, for a more rustic effect, or blend part of it with an immersion mixer for a creamier consistency.
  10. Serve hot, with croutons or toasted bread and, if you like, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Curiosity

Broad bean soup has been a staple for many European populations for centuries, especially in the Mediterranean regions. In Italy, broad beans have historically been used both in humble recipes and in more elaborate dishes..paginator