Best 3 Abruzzese Chestnut And Lentil Soup Recipes
In the realm of comforting dishes, few can rival the hearty and flavorful Abruzzese chestnut and lentil soup. Originating from the Abruzzo region of Italy, this traditional soup is a fusion of rustic ingredients and rich flavors. Its unique combination of chestnuts, lentils, vegetables, and herbs creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will warm your soul on chilly days. This article will guide you through the process of creating this delectable soup, allowing you to bring a taste of Abruzzo into your own kitchen. So gather your ingredients, prepare your cooking utensils, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.
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ABRUZZESE CHESTNUT AND LENTIL SOUP
Categories Soup/Stew
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For this soup you will need a heavy-bottomed soup pot or saucepan, 6-quart capacity or larger. Rinse the dried chestnuts, and put them in a bowl with cold water to cover by at least 4 inches. Let soak in a cool place for 8 hours or overnight, and drain them when you start cooking the soup. Pour the olive oil into the soup pot, set over medium-high heat, and drop in the crushed garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes, until they're sizzling and lightly colored, then drop in the herb sprigs and bay leaves, and cook for a minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bring the juices to a boil, and cook for a minute or two, to concentrate the flavors. Pour in the water, stir well, add the basil leaves and drained chestnuts, and cover the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then set the cover ajar and cook at a gentle boil, reducing gradually, until the chestnuts have softened and have started to crumble, about 1 1/2 hours. Rinse the lentils, and stir them into the soup along with the salt. Return to a full boil, and cook, cover ajar, for 30 minutes or more, until the lentils are tender (timing depends on lentil size and variety) and the broth is flavorful. Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of freshly grated cheese over each portion, and finish with a swirl of excellent olive oil. Serve right away, with more grated cheese at the table.
CHESTNUT, LENTILS AND VEGETABLE STEW
This is a nice winter stew or soup that everyone loves in my family. It is so comforting on a cold winter night, or it can be a Thanksgiving dish substitute for vegetarians. It tastes wonderful the next day! Experiment with the vegetable combinations!
Provided by experimentalbakerandcook
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews
Time 1h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Pour the olive oil into a large, deep pot set over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, vegetable broth, and water; cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, pour in the tomatoes, and cook 10 to 15 minutes more. Reduce heat to low, and mix in the lentils and chestnuts; cook for 1 hour until the chestnuts soften. Pour in more water to thin the stew, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.6 calories, Carbohydrate 39 g, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 6.3 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 416.4 mg, Sugar 11.3 g
ABRUZZESE CHESTNUT & LENTIL SOUP
Legumes are a specialty of growers in L'Aquila, the big inland province of Abruzzo, and the pride of the region is the small, tender lentils grown in the mountain village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Since my recent visit to this remote, rugged settlement, I have had no doubt that it was in just such a place that this hearty and warming winter soup, thick with lentils and chestnuts, was created. These native foods, so good together, can surely sustain one through long cold winters in the high country. Unfortunately, the delicious lenticchie of Santo Stefano di Sessanio are a limited commodity and not available here. Instead, I recommend using lentils from Castelluccio in Umbria (see Sources, page 387) in this soup. Ordinary lentils are fine as well, though some larger types may need soaking or longer cooking time. Chestnuts, grown along the length of the Apennines, are also essential to Abruzzese cuisine. In season, they're enjoyed in everything from pastas to desserts, and then, like lentils, dried for winter cooking or milled into flour. Though this soup can be made with fresh (or frozen) chestnuts, I use dried chestnuts, as is often the case in Abruzzo. These are available year-round and spare you the work of peeling. I also like the way they cook slowly without disintegrating, giving the soup a particularly nice texture. They do require an overnight soak, however, before you start cooking.
Yield makes 3 1/2 quarts, serving 8 or more
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Rinse the dried chestnuts, and put them in a bowl with cold water to cover by at least 4 inches. Let soak in a cool place for 8 hours or overnight, and drain them when you start cooking the soup.
- Pour the olive oil into the soup pot, set over medium-high heat, and drop in the crushed garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes, until they're sizzling and lightly colored, then drop in the herb sprigs and bay leaves, and cook for a minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bring the juices to a boil, and cook for a minute or two, to concentrate the flavors.
- Pour in the water, stir well, add the basil leaves and drained chestnuts, and cover the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then set the cover ajar and cook at a gentle boil, reducing gradually, until the chestnuts have softened and have started to crumble, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Rinse the lentils, and stir them into the soup along with the salt. Return to a full boil, and cook, cover ajar, for 30 minutes or more, until the lentils are tender (timing depends on lentil size and variety) and the broth is flavorful.
- Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of freshly grated cheese over each portion, and finish with a swirl of excellent olive oil. Serve right away, with more grated cheese at the table.
Tips:
- If you can't find dried chestnuts, you can use 1 pound of fresh chestnuts. Just score the chestnuts with an X on the flat side and roast them in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the shells are blackened and the chestnuts are tender. Then, peel and chop the chestnuts before adding them to the soup.
- If you don't have any lentils, you can use 1 cup of dried beans, such as kidney beans or black beans. Just be sure to soak the beans overnight before cooking them.
- To make a vegetarian version of this soup, omit the pancetta or bacon. You can also add 1 cup of chopped vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or zucchini, to the soup.
- Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or crackers. You can also top the soup with grated Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of olive oil.
Conclusion:
This hearty and flavorful soup is a perfect way to warm up on a cold day. The chestnuts and lentils add a unique and delicious flavor to the soup. This soup is also very easy to make, so it's a great option for a busy weeknight meal. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy soup recipe, give this Abruzzese Chestnut and Lentil Soup a try. You won't be disappointed!
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