Spelt and Borlotti Bean Soup

The spelt and borlotti bean soup is a rustic and nourishing dish, typical of the Italian peasant tradition. Here are the ingredients and the method to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 200g of pearled spelt
• 400g of borlotti beans (fresh, dried or canned)
• 1 onion
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 carrot
• 1 clove of garlic
• 400g of peeled tomatoes (or tomato puree)
• 1 liter of vegetable broth
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Rosemary (optional)
• Chili pepper (optional)

If you’re using dried beans, remember to soak them the night before and to cook them before starting the soup.

Preparation

1. If you are using dried beans, drain them from their soaking water and cook them in plenty of water until they become tender.
2. In the meantime, in a large pot, sauté the finely chopped onion with a drizzle of oil. Add the garlic, carrot, and celery, all cut into small pieces.
3. Once the onion has become transparent and the vegetables begin to brown, add the pearled spelt and toast for a couple of minutes.
4. Add the peeled tomatoes, crushing them with a fork, and mix well.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
6. Add the borlotti beans (if you are using canned beans, drain them from their preserving water first).
7. Lower the heat, cover with a lid, and let cook for about 30 minutes, or until the spelt is cooked but still al dente. During cooking, if necessary, add more broth to maintain the desired consistency.
8. Season with salt and pepper, and if you want, add a pinch of chopped rosemary and/or chili pepper to give more flavor and a touch of spiciness.
9. Serve the soup nice and hot with a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil.

Trivia

This soup is an example of how simple cuisine can transform into a dish rich in flavors and nutrients. Spelt is an ancient grain known for its high fiber content, while borlotti beans are a very important source of plant proteins.

Remember that you could also enrich the soup with other ingredients like potatoes, zucchini, or spinach, depending on your tastes and the seasonality of the ingredients. Enjoy your meal!