Ribollita (Tuscan vegetable and bread soup)
Ribollita literally translates to “reboiled.” This is because ribollita was traditionally made from leftover ingredients or minestrone from the day before. While studying in Florence, I took several cooking classes. In one of these classes we learned how to make ribollita, which is a traditional Tuscan soup. Lots of delicious veggies, homemade vegetable stock, and stale bread. This is an excellent and wallet friendly way to use cheap veggies and old bread. Stale bread you ask? I know it may be strange, but it adds a nice thickness and flavor to the soup while cutting down on waste!
Rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and flavor, this soup will be sure to please! There are many variations of this recipe, so I challenge you to find your favorite! Add or substitute your favorite vegetables or use whatever you have on hand.
RIBOLLITA
Recipe adapted from Apicius School of Cooking, Florence University of the Arts
Ingredients:
Stock
- 1 carrot, cut into chunks
- 1 celery stock, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, cut into quarters
- 8 cups water
Soup
- Olive oil
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 leek, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1 large potato, peeled, cut into chunks
- 1 small bunch kale, thinly sliced
- 1/4 Savoy cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 small bunch chard, thinly sliced
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1-15oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 loaf of stale rustic white bread, torn into chunks
- Parmigiano Reggiano, to taste
Directions:
- Bring 8 cups water to boil and add the carrot, celery, and onion. Bring down to a simmer while you prepare the rest of the soup.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large pot. Add chopped carrots, celery, leak, and onion. Cook until tender.
- Once tender, add potato, kale, and cabbage. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add zucchini, chard, and tomato puree. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add 6 cups of vegetable stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add cannellini beans and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add bread chunks and continue to simmer until soft.
- Serve with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Tip: To reheat, heat on low heat and add water or extra stock if needed.
Bon Appetit!
