Minestra Maritata otherwise known as Italian Wedding soup has to be one of my favorite soups of all time. Anytime of the year, you can find me making a delicious batch of this yummy goodness. Italian wedding soup is not a soup that is served at weddings as some might think. History has shown that this dish dates back to the Romans when it was first created.
The word “wedding” comes from the soup “marrying” together; the longer the soup slowly simmers. It allows the flavors of the ingredients within the soup to work together to give you that delicious taste.
Feature Headliners:
mini meatballs, pasta, endives (you can substitute spinach if you can’t find or like endives), chicken broth, parmesan cheese, and herbs.
mini meatballs, pasta, endives (you can substitute spinach if you can’t find or like endives), chicken broth, parmesan cheese, and herbs.
Here are ingredients needed to make a soup:
- 10 c. chicken broth (homemade chicken broth recipe)
- 1 bunch endive, cleaned and sliced or 1 pound fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped (or one package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry)
- Sage or poultry seasoning
- 1-2 eggs
- 1/2 pound cooked small pasta, such as acini di pepe or tubettini
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
Below are ingredients to make meatballs:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt and pepper
- Bread crumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Oregano
- 3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Recipe Steps:
- First, combine all meatball ingredients listed above.
- Roll meatballs between the palms of your hands to shape 1-inch diameter balls. Set aside.
- To prepare broth, you can use either canned or your homemade broth.
- Remember if you’re using homemade broth and it’s already frozen skim off the fat and discard. Bring the broth to a rolling boil.
- In small bowl, crack the eggs and lightly beat with a fork. Add the beaten eggs by pouring in a THIN stream. As you pour the eggs, stir the broth so the egg is broken up and appears as threads throughout the broth.
- Next, add the seasonings, tasting to please your palate. Then add endive and meatballs. Allow to simmer 2 hours or more. The longer the ingredients “marry,” the better the flavor.
- Right before your about to eat toss in the pasta and cook according to the directions on the back of the box.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top and some nice crusty Italian bread.
Yields 4 generous servings.
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