Minestra

Name: Minestra
Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) package dried pinto or cranberry beans; 1/4 pound salt pork, minced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 cup chopped celery; 1 carrot, chopped; 1 large onion, minced; 3 quarts water; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper; 8 ounces rotini or egg noodles, cooked; Grated Romano cheese

13 ingredients

3 steps

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package dried pinto or cranberry beans
1/4 pound salt pork, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 carrot, chopped
1 large onion, minced
3 quarts water
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
8 ounces rotini or egg noodles, cooked
Grated Romano cheese

Directions

1

Place beans in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water 2 inches above beans; soak 8 hours. Drain.
2

Saute salt pork, garlic, and salt in hot oil in Dutch oven until fat is cooked from pork. Add chopped celery, carrot, and onion, and saute 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add beans and 3 quarts water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 hour and 30 minutes or until tender, adding hot water as needed to keep beans covered with liquid. Stir in peppers.
3

Process half of cooked beans in batches in a blender until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides; return to Dutch oven. Add pasta, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thoroughly heated. Serve with cheese.