Pasta fagioli e cozze

Pasta with beans and mussels is a dish that blends flavors of the sea and the land, typical of the cuisine of southern Italy. It is a variation of the classic pasta and beans with the addition of mussels to enrich its flavor. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 200 g of short pasta (ditalini, tubettini or others as you prefer)
• 400 g of fresh mussels
• 200 g of pre-cooked cannellini beans (you can use dried ones, but it will require more time)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 250 g of peeled tomatoes
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Chili pepper to taste (optional)
• 1 small onion
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Start by thoroughly cleaning the mussels under cold water, removing the byssus threads and being careful to discard any that are already open or broken.
2. In a large pan, sauté the finely chopped garlic clove with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and the chopped onion. If you like, you can add a small piece of chili pepper to give a spicy touch to the dish.
3. Once browned, add the peeled tomatoes, lightly crushing them, and cook for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the mussels to the pan, cover with a lid, and let them open over medium heat. This should take about 5-10 minutes. Discard any that have not opened.
5. Once the mussels are ready, add the cannellini beans along with some of their brine to make the sauce creamier. Adjust salt and pepper and let everything simmer for a few minutes.
6. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
7. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water, and add it to the beans and mussels sauce, mixing well. If necessary, add some of the pasta cooking water to keep the sauce moist.
8. Plate and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Curiosity

This dish is an exquisite example of “cucina povera” (peasant cooking), which uses simple ingredients accessible to all. Mussels were considered the fish of the poor and were often added to legumes to enrich their taste and nutritional value. Pasta with beans and mussels is a recipe that encapsulates the flavors of the Mediterranean and can be enjoyed warm, typically on colder days.