Minestre di Legumi

It has suddenly become cold and wet, and while this sort of weather is normal for Italy at this time of year, it is vexing. The best way to keep the chill at bay is a steaming bowl of soup, and here are a couple of ideas:

• Jota: This is a bean-and-sauerkraut soup from Trieste, and if you're not from Trieste people hesitate to offer it to you because it's true peasant food. However, like many peasant dishes, it is quite satisfying, and does a wonderful job of warming the heart.
• Lentil and Pasta Soup: Esau sold his birthright for lentils, and one can almost understand the man when served a soup like this.
• Zuppa Lombarda: An extremely simple Tuscan bean soup, with beans, bean broth and toasted bread highlighted by fresh olive oil.