PASTA E FAGIOLI (NORTHERN STYLE) 
This soup is actually a Serbian soup that has passed through Yugoslavia and into Italy with the changing borders/immigration in history.

It is a favorite in our family, you can also substitute barley for pasta. The amount of potatoes and beans can be changed depending on the consistency you would like the soup to be. Great soup, kids love it, and it is inexpensive.

1 lb. bag pinto beans
3 ham hocks or prosciutto bone
1 lb. box small pasta or spaghetti
6 potatoes
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp. garlic

Soak beans overnight.

Sort and drain in the morning. Fill stock pot with beans and water. Add ham hocks or prosciutto bone, salt, pepper and garlic. Simmer for one hour.

Peel and chop potatoes and add to pot. Cook another hour. Check bean tenderness, if tender add small pasta or broken spaghetti. Cook until pasta is tender. Check salt and add more if necessary.

Enjoy.

Submitted by: Julie Hagen

 

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