Ribollita

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1cupCannellini Or Great Northern Beans -- dried
2teaspoonsKosher Salt
4tablespoonsOlive Oil
2cupsZucchini -- diced
cupOnions -- diced
cupCelery -- diced
½cupCarrots -- scrubbed & diced
¼poundsPancetta -- diced
2tablespoonsGarlic -- minced
½Head Savoy Cabbage, Washed cut into 1\" pieces
2Tomatoes -- peel, seed, & chop
½cupBasil -- chopped
2cupsSpinach Leaves -- cleaned
¼teaspoonBlack Pepper -- freshly ground
4cupsSourdough Bread, Cubed Day-Old
½cupPecarino Romano -- grated
4tablespoonsOlive Oil, Extra-Virgin

Directions

1. Rinse and cover the beans with cold water and soak overnight.

2. Drain the beans and place them in a saucepan with 8 cups cold water. Cook, covered, for 1 hour. Add 1 tsp of the salt and continue cooking for an additional 30 mins, or until the beans are tender. Set the beans aside with their liquid.

3. Over a medium heat, heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Over medium heat, saute the zucchini, onions, celery, carrots, pancetta, and garlic until softened, about 10 mins. Add the cabbage, tomatoes, basil, and spinach. Season with the remaining 1 tsp salt and pepper.

Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 10 mins.

4. Strain the beans, reserving their cooking liquid. Puree half the beans in a food processor. Add the pureed beans, the whole beans, and their cooking liquid (8 cups) to the soup pot and simmer over low heat for 20 mins. If you don't have enough cooking liquid, add water to make up the difference.

5. Add the diced sourdough bread to the soup and cook for 10 more mins. Adjust the seasoning. Serve with the Pecorino Romano and drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

Recipe By : The Union Square Cafe Cookbook - ISBN 0-06-017013-1 From: Dan Klepach Date: 08-21-95 (22:47) (159) Fido: Cooking