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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Cabbage and Bean Soup: Sicilian Winter Comfort in a Bowl

Cabbage and Bean Soup: Sicilian Winter Comfort in a Bowl

Uncover the traditional Sicilian cabbage and bean soup, a hearty and wholesome dish ideal for chilly evenings.

⏱️
Prep Time
about 20 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
around 50 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Easy
💰 Budget-friendly
🗓️ Winter
4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • 700 g savoy cabbage
  • 300 g dried white beans (soaked overnight)
  • 2 peeled tomatoes
  • 1.5 l meat stock (or vegetable stock for a vegetarian option)
  • extra virgin olive oil, as needed
  • grated Sicilian pecorino cheese, to taste
  • slices of bread
  • salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
360 kcal
Protein
18 g
Fat
10 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fiber
8 g
Sodium
420 mg

This cabbage and bean soup is a humble yet flavourful staple from Sicily’s rural kitchens. Warm and nourishing, it’s just the thing to cosy up your body and spirit on the coldest nights. Savoy cabbage and white beans, simmered in a rich meat broth and finished with sharp Sicilian pecorino, combine to create an irresistible Mediterranean comfort food.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Wash and shred the cabbage, then blanch it in salted boiling water for 5-7 minutes before draining.

  2. 2

    Cook the soaked beans in a large pot until tender, about 40 minutes, then drain.

  3. 3

    In a large saucepan, bring the stock to the boil. Add the cabbage and cooked beans, then stir in the roughly chopped peeled tomatoes.

  4. 4

    Let it simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavours to meld beautifully.

  5. 5

    Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, drizzle with a good glug of extra virgin olive oil, and serve piping hot with toasted or fried bread slices and a generous sprinkle of Sicilian pecorino.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a heartier feel, toss in a diced potato or some crispy pancetta. You could swap out savoy cabbage for black cabbage or curly kale for a deeper, earthier flavour.

📦 Storage

  • Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
  • It also freezes well in portions — gently reheat on the hob or in the microwave when you fancy a warming bowl.

🍷 Pairing

This cabbage and bean soup pairs beautifully with a glass of Delia Nivolelli Müller Thurgau, a crisp and aromatic Sicilian white wine that complements the dish’s rustic charm.

Give this classic Sicilian soup a go at home — it’s simple, satisfying, and packed with heartwarming flavours. Perfect to share with family or friends on a blustery evening, it’s sure to become one of your go-to cosy meals. Do let me know how you get on, and don’t forget to tuck in with a good slice of crusty bread and a glass of something lovely!

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