Minestra di Pasta e Fagioli

Serves six to eight.

To learn more, read:
Using Pastas in Soup
by Clifford Wright
from Fine Cooking
Issue 32
Last Edit Date: 7/18/2011 1:45:32 PM

This hearty and delicious soup is so full-bodied that you only need a green salad to accompany it. The prosciutto skin is used for flavoring, and you can find it easily at the deli counter of an Italian market or supermarket (often they’ll give it to you for free). If you want to eat the prosciutto skin, cut it into strips; otherwise, leave it in one or two pieces so that you can discard it easily after the soup is cooked. Saltiness of prosciutto skin and parmigiano rinds will vary, so be sure to taste as you go.

more about:

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more for drizzling
1 lb. pork stew meat, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1/4 lb. pancetta, cut into strips
1/4 lb. prosciutto skin or skin from salt pork, whole or cut into strips (optional)
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 fennel bulb (about 3/4 lb.), trimmed and diced
1 rib celery, diced
8 to 10 cups homemade or low-salt canned chicken stock
1-1/2 cups dried white beans, such as cannellini (about 10 oz.)
1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas (about 1/2 lb.)
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 lb. Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 lb. tubetti, ditali, or other short macaroni
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for sprinkling

In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the pork, pancetta, and prosciutto skin until they turn color, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, fennel, and celery and cook until softened, 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock, white beans, chickpeas, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, rosemary, and Parmigiano rinds. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil (about 10 minutes) and then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the white beans are soft, about 1-1/2 hours. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 12 to 15 minutes, stirring. Discard the cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and rosemary sprig. Both the prosciutto skin and Parmigiano rinds can be eaten if you like. Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmigiano.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : based on eight servings; Calories (kcal): 460; Fat (g): 17; Fat Calories (kcal): 150; Saturated Fat (g): 5; Protein (g): 31; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 9; Carbohydrates (g): 45; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 2; Sodium (mg): 490; Cholesterol (mg): 45; Fiber (g): 9;