International Recipes and Cooking Around the World

Minestra de Ceci

Minestra di ceci Tuscan chickpea soup

(Italian chickpea and pasta soup)

Image by Roberto

5
Average: 4.5 (4 votes)

Minestra di ceci is a simple and nourishing soup from the Tuscan region of Italy. It goes together quickly and is great for a rainy day. Serve it with a nice chunk of crusty bread for a full meal.

4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • Chickpeas, cooked and rinsed -- 2 cups
  • Stock or water -- 5 cups
  • Olive oil -- 3 tablespoons
  • Fresh rosemary, chopped -- 1 small sprig
  • Garlic, minced -- 2-3 cloves
  • Tomatoes, chopped -- 1 cup
  • Salt and pepper -- to taste
  • Soup pasta (see variations) -- 1/2 cup

Method

  1. Puree half the chickpeas with 1 cup of the stock or water in a blender or food processor. Set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Add the garlic and rosemary and sauté until the garlic just begins to brown.
  3. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining stock, the chickpea puree and the remaining whole chickpeas. Season to taste with salt and pepper and simmer for 10 more minutes.
  4. Add the pasta and bring to a light boil until the pasta is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with crusty bread.

Minestra di Ceci Variations

  • Pasta: Use any small pasta for this soup: orzo, macaroni, shells. Or break spaghetti or capellini into small pieces.
  • Vegetables: Stir in 2 cups chopped fresh spinach or chard in the last 5 minutes if you like.

Disclaimer

Whats4eats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You Might Also Like