Pasta e fagioli (Italian: [ˈpasta e ffaˈdʒɔːli]; lit.'pasta and beans') is an Italian pasta soup of which there are several regional variants.[1]

Pasta e fagioli
Alternative namesPasta e fasule, pasta fazool
TypePasta soup
CoursePrimo (Italian course)
Place of originItaly
Region or state
Main ingredientsSmall pasta (elbow macaroni, ditalini), cannellini beans or borlotti beans, olive oil, garlic, onions, spices, stewed tomato or tomato paste. Usually, the base of the soup is created from the cooking broth of the beans with the vegetables, to which the pureed beans are added. In doing so, the sieve retains the outer skin of the beans, which can spoil the creamy texture of the soup.

It is often called pasta fasul or pasta fazool in the New York Italian dialect, derived from its Neapolitan name, pasta e fasule.[2]

Preparation

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Recipes for pasta e fagioli vary, the only true requirement being that beans and pasta are included.[3] While the dish varies from region to region, it is most commonly made using cannellini beans, navy beans, or borlotti beans and a small variety of pasta, such as elbow macaroni or ditalini.[4] The base typically includes olive oil, garlic, minced onion, celery, carrots, and often stewed tomatoes or tomato paste. Some variations omit tomatoes and instead use a broth base. Preparation may be vegetarian, or contain meat (often bacon, ground beef, or pancetta) or a meat-based stock.[citation needed]

Variations

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The recipe varies greatly based on the region or town in which it is prepared, depending on available ingredients. The consistency of the dish can vary, with some being soupy, while others are much thicker. For instance, in Bari the dish is thicker in consistency and uses mixed pasta shapes. It also uses pancetta in the base of the sauce. Other varieties call for the beans to be passed through a food mill, giving it a stew-like consistency.[citation needed]

Pasta e ceci, a version replacing the beans with chickpeas, is common in Rome.[5]

According to Vincenzo Buonassisi Pasta e fagioli Sgranati (Sgranati meaning shelled) is a Neapolitan variant using fresh beans (which must be shelled before use).[6]

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"Pastafazoola", a 1927 novelty song by Van and Schenck, capitalises on the Neapolitan pronunciation in the rhyme "Don't be a fool, eat pasta fazool."

The song "That's Amore", by Warren and Brooks (popularised by Dean Martin), includes the rhyme "When the stars make you drool, just like pasta fazool, that's amore." Pasta e fagioli was also among Dean Martin's and Frank Sinatra's favorite foods.[7]

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See also

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  Media related to Pasta e fagioli at Wikimedia Commons

References

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  1. ^ "Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Beans)". La Cucina Italiana. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  2. ^ Tony, Morinelli. "Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta Fasul)". The Food Table. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Pasta e fagioli: comfort food a' la Italian". Archived from the original on 2016-07-02.
  4. ^ Scott, Liz (2008-12-02). The Complete Idiot's Guide to High-Fiber Cooking. Penguin. p. 195. ISBN 9781440697487.
  5. ^ "Pasta e Ceci (Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew) Recipe". NYT Cooking. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  6. ^ Buonassisi, Vincenzo (2020). The Pasta Codex. New York, New York: Rizzoli International Publications. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-8478-6874-2.
  7. ^ The Rat Pack’s Favorite Foods (and Drinks!) Amanda Tarlton, Taste of Home (February 25, 2022)