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Istarska Maneštra: Minestrone with a Croatian Twist


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  • Author: John Bek
  • Yield: 6-8 1x

Description

Italian minestrone take on Croatian flavors and flair, including a big smoky hug from the glorious addition of pork ribs.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 230 g (8 ounces) romano beans, soaked overnight
  • 500 g (1.1 pound) smoked pork ribs
  • 150 g (5 ounces) carrot, diced
  • 90 g (3 ounces) turnip, diced
  • 40 g (1.4 ounces) celery, diced
  • 1 corn cob, charred & kernels sliced off
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 1 cup pasta shells
  • ¼ cup virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, chopped into 1 cm dice (seeds & all)
  • ½ tsp paprika powder
  • Salt & freshly milled black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • Parsley leaves, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Place the soaked & drained beans with the ribs, vegetables (except onion & tomato) and bay leaf into a large saucepan. Cover with water and put over medium-high heat and allow to simmer gently for at least two hours, stirring occasionally.
  2. When the soup is near its 2-hour simmering time, cook the pasta shells in a separate pot of boiling water.
  3. Remove the ribs from the soup and, when cool enough to handle, pick off any meat and add it to the soup.
  4. While you cook the pasta, heat the ¼ cup olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, and sauté the onion until golden brown. Add the paprika and stir for 30 seconds before adding the diced tomato. Sauté for a further 1 minute and then add the tomato mixture to the soup along with the cooked pasta.
  5. Check the soup for seasoning and stir through the vinegar. Garnish with parsley leaves and erve with loads of crusty bread.
  • Category: Main