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Zuppa di cicerchie
Grass pea soup
Zuppa di cicerchie: Marche and Umbria's rustic grass-pea soup with tomato and rosemary
Cicerchie (grass peas) are an ancient legume that looks like a small, squared-off chickpea, grown on the hills of the Marche and Umbria around Serra de' Conti and Gubbio. They make a thick, nutty, rustic winter soup cooked with garlic, tomato and rosemary, served over toasted bread with a thread of new olive oil. Grass peas contain a natural toxin when eaten in large amounts, so always soak them for at least 24 hours, changing the water a few times, and enjoy them as an occasional dish. Chef's tip: change the soaking water at least three times; it removes most of the toxin and makes the peas easier to digest.
- Total time
- 105 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz dried grass peas (cicerchie)
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oilplus extra to serve
- 1 onionchopped
- 2 cloves garlicchopped
- 1 celery stickchopped
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 7 oz passata
- 6 ¼ cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 slices gluten-free or country bread (optional)toasted, to serve
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Soak 10 ½ oz dried grass peas (cicerchie) in plenty of cold water for 24–48 hours, changing the water at least three times. Drain and rinse.
Step 2: Cook them in fresh boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse again.
10 minStep 3: Heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and cook 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 celery stick and 1 sprig rosemary for 8 minutes, until soft. Add 7 oz passata and cook for 5 minutes.
13 minStep 4: Add the cicerchie and 6 ¼ cups water and simmer, partly covered, for 60–75 minutes, until tender and creamy. Mash some against the side of the pan to thicken. Common mistake: salting at the start; it keeps the skins tough. Add 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper at the end.
75 minStep 5: Serve over 4 slices gluten-free or country bread, if using, with a drizzle of oil.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 12 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does zuppa di cicerchie take?
- About 105 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 90 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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