This incredibly simple traditional Tuscan recipe is a seasonal staple during the colder months: there are two touches that make this classic extra special. The first one is saving some whole, unpureed beans to put in at the end, as a nice serving visual and to enhance the final texture. The second is adding the pasta to each bowl individually  - this way your kids, if they are pasta lovers, can be given more if you want, and your al dente pasta stays that way a little longer rather than cooking too long in the pot.

Yields: 8 servings / Prep Time: 15 minutes / Inactive Prep: 8 hours / Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound dried borlotti beans
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 oz pancetta, cubed
  • 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped
  • 1 (14.28 ounce) can pelati (whole peeled tomatoes)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 pound ditalini pasta
  • Parmesan cheese, for finishing

Preparation:

  1. Rinse the beans well, place in a large bowl, and cover with cold water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and soak them overnight (at least 8 hours).
  2. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil, add the beans, stir well, and cook for about 1 hour, or until the beans are soft. When the beans are soft, remove them from the water and puree about 3/4 of them, and then put them back into the pot with the water.
  3. Leaving a few of the beans intact will help the look and the texture of the soup.3In a large pan sauté the garlic and the rosemary (pancetta optional) in about 3 tablespoons of olive oil, until fragrant. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and hand crush the tomatoes into the sauté pan. Bring to a simmer so the flavors marry together.
  4. Stir the tomato mixture into the beans and bring to a simmer, and cook, while stirring on occasion, for about 25 minutes. Give the tomatoes a chance to break up, get into the sauce, and then be patient while the soup starts thickening.
  5. Meanwhile, in a pot of salted water, cook the pasta, and rinse it with a sprinkle of cold tap water, right after you drain it. Put it into a large bowl, add some oil and stir well; this will help the pasta stop cooking and stay separated, ready whenever you are, to be added to the soup.
  6. When the beans are ready serve them in individual bowls (with or without adding the meat, depending on your taste or your guests), add some pasta, sprinkle with pepper and some extra virgin olive oil and parmesan.
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