Maltese Minestra Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Saute the celery, onion, and garlic in oil until softened in the bottom of a Dutch oven.
• 2. Add the bay leaf, zucchini, bell pepper, pumpkin/butternut squash, broth, diced tomatoes with liquid, tomato sauce and seasonings.
• 3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for ten minutes.
• 4. Stir in the couscous and chickpeas and cook for ten minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the couscous is tender.
• 5. Stir in the parsley before serving and serve topped with a generous pinch of Parmesan cheese.

Steps:

• In a deep, large, heavy pot over moderate heat, saute garlic and pancetta in extra-virgin olive oil for 3 minutes. Add onions and cook 1 or 2 minutes longer.
• Add the greens and wilt them down to fit them all in the pot. Add beans, broth, and nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook over moderate to medium-high heat for 12 minutes, or until greens are no longer bitter. Serve with shaved cheese, bread, and good red wine.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add dandelion greens and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or a wire skimmer, transfer greens to a colander to drain. Add rapini to boiling water and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or a wire skimmer, transfer rapini to a colander to drain. Add cabbage to boiling water and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain and set greens aside.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add celery, garlic, bay leaf, and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until celery and garlic are soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally until lightly browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Stir in greens and both brodos. Let simmer until greens are tender, about 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add meatballs during the last 5 minutes of cooking, if desired.
• Ladle soup into warmed bowls; drizzle with olive oil and serve immediately.

Steps:

• 1. Wash the beans and let them soak in water for a few hours.
• 2. Chop all the vegetables roughly - rustic style. Place vegetables in a large pot, cover with water or broth and bring to a boil. Add the tomato puree along with salt and pepper.
• 3. Once boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add the cauliflower or cabbage (or a little of both).
• 4. Once vegetables are cooked through, add the pasta and simmer another 10-12 mnutes. Once done, add a tbsp. of olive oil and stir it in. Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.