Zuppe it Up

Delicious soup recipes for the winter

Soups are just about as old as the history of cooking, according to food historians. There's nothing quite as simple and comforting as the idea of combining various ingredients in a large pot to create a hearty meal.
Zuppe, unlike many other food items, have never been associated with any particular class - instead, they've been enjoyed and favoured by just about everyone - from the rich to the poor; the healthy and the sick. It's not just a coincidence that at the first sign of a cold or other malady, a soup is the most obvious choice. They may initially have been cooked by hot stones in receptacles of natural substances, and then in utensils that could go straight over the fire. Soup, in fact, derives from sop or sup, meaning the slice of bread on which broth was poured.
Winter zuppe have that remarkable ability to nourish our bodies, lift our spirits and cool us down. And soups are one of the most versatile of any dish - they can be a starter course, a first-course meal or an appetizer.
Soups have a special place at the Italian table because of their reliance on diverse, fresh ingredients and their ability to feed a large number of people. They also have a long history in the boot-shaped country: Ancient Rome's Apicius devoted a special section to zuppe in the world's first recipe collection, De re coquinaria. The Ancient Romans might have got this passion for bowls of the good stuff from the Ancient Greeks and the Spartans, who were known to indulge in a sort of dark broth that was not too appetizing but which apparently provided all the nourishment they needed before battle.
Minestrone, loaded with colourful vegetables, is popular all year round and because of its hearty nature, it usually acts as a first-course meal.
Potato and Cheese Soup is guaranteed to warm you up. To make, you'll need unsalted butter, leeks, vegetable stock, potato, half and half cream, and the medley of Italian cheeses: Provolone, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and sauté until tender, about five minutes. Add stock and potatoes and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Puree soup in batches in processor or blender. Return soup to saucepan. Add half and half and bring to simmer. (Can be prepared one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.) Gradually add all cheeses to soup and whisk until melted. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with croutons.
Asparagus, with its distinctive crown-life tuft is popular in many a zuppa. Grown commercially in Italy for over 300 years, the more common green variety is grown above ground. Asparagus Soup is a popular recipe to add to a spring dinner. The soup combines the prized veggie with russet potatoes and fresh parsley, among a host of other ingredients.
Tuscany offers up Minestra di Pane e Ribollita, a hearty soup that features a long-leafed type of cabbage known as cavolo nero. One of the most important parts of Minestra di Pane e Ribollita is the pane, or bread, which in this case should be thinly sliced day old Italian white bread.
There's a myriad of bean soups in the Italian zuppe tradition. A favourite is pasta e fagioli soup. Walnuts tend to be a common ingredient in soups from the northern regions. The walnuts are often combined with a cream or milk for a smooth and slightly sweet zuppa.
Or how about Pappa al Pomodoro, a southern Italian soup based on vegetable stock, stale country bread (cut into chunks), olive oil, garlic cloves, ripe tomatoes, basil leaves and salt and pepper to taste? Then there is the Calabrian zuppa based on asparagus, garlic and cheese, which is guaranteed to add colour and pizzazz to your winter days.
Lentil Soup uses more than a dozen ingredients, including carrots, marjoram, thyme, and two tablespoons of sherry. This soup is a welcome addition to the table when you don't feel like cooking - it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days, and it also freezes well.

Publication Date: 2004-11-21
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4631