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Exploring Tuscan Cuisine: A Recipe and History of Tuscan Soup

Tuscan Soup

Tuscan soup has humble origins, tracing back to the rural countryside of Tuscany, where farmers and peasants relied on simple, locally available ingredients to create nourishing meals. Traditionally, Tuscan soup was prepared using leftover vegetables, beans, and bread, making it an economical and practical dish. Over time, it evolved into a beloved staple of Tuscan cuisine, celebrated for its rustic charm and comforting flavors. Today, Tuscan soup remains a cherished part of Italian culinary heritage, enjoyed by people around the world.

Ingredients

� 2 cans of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (low sodium preferable)

� 1/3 cup water

� 1 onion

� 2 cloves of garlic

� 1/3 cup chopped celery

� 1/3 cup parsley

� 1/2 cup good olive oil (or another plant-based oil)

� Half a head of green cabbage, chopped (about 4 cups)

� Half a bunch Tuscan kale (about 2 cups) or another leafy green

� 1 bunch of Swiss Chard, chopped (about 3 cups) or another leafy green

� 1 medium sized potato, diced (about 1 cup)

� 1/4 cup Tomato paste (low sodium preferable)

� 1 Parmesan Rind

� 6 cups vegetable stock (low sodium preferable)

� 1 cup stale bread, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions

1. Finely chop the onion, garlic, celery and parsley and sauté gently in olive oil.

2. When they begin to turn golden, add the chopped greens and potato. Cook for 5 minutes more.

3. Season with salt and pepper and add tomato paste.

4. Using a blender or Cuisine art, puree one can beans with 1/3 cup water. Add these with the other half of the whole, to the pot, along with the parmesan rind and 6 cups of vegetable stock or water.

5. Allow to boil further until vegetables are cooked, about 7-10 minutes then, taking it off the heat,add the bread, cover and allow to sit for 20 minutes for the bread to soak before serving. It should be quite thick once you have the bread in there. You can add more liquid (water or stock) to get the consistency you like.

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