Chick Peas, Lentils, and More
Though beans are the most common Italian legumes, they're certainly not along: chick peas are also extremely popular, winter wouldn't be quite the same without lentils, and there are also other legumes one finds here and there.
Lentils with Oranges -- Lenticchie all'Arancia
Lentils are available year round, and though this is a winter dish if you go by the seasons because that's when oranges come to market, should you be able to find good oranges in the summer this will be quite nice then too.
Lentils are available year round, and though this is a winter dish if you go by the seasons because that's when oranges come to market, should you be able to find good oranges in the summer this will be quite nice then too.
Lentils with Speck -- Lenticchie con lo Speck
Lenticchie con lo Speck -- -- Lentils with Speck
Lenticchie con lo Speck -- -- Lentils with Speck
Chick Peas Pisan Style -- Ceci alla Pisana
Chick Peas Pisan Style, or Ceci alla Pisana: Beans not your cup of tea? Then chick peas. Here's a recipe for ceci alla pisana, chick peas Pisan style, which may seem somewhat unusual, but actually resembles a number of other Tuscan legume dishes in which one cooks the legumes and serves them and their broth over toasted bread. It will be nice in the cooler months.
Chick Peas Pisan Style, or Ceci alla Pisana: Beans not your cup of tea? Then chick peas. Here's a recipe for ceci alla pisana, chick peas Pisan style, which may seem somewhat unusual, but actually resembles a number of other Tuscan legume dishes in which one cooks the legumes and serves them and their broth over toasted bread. It will be nice in the cooler months.
Calentita: Gibraltarian Chickpea Puree
Calentita: Gibraltarian Chickpea Puree: Calentita, a Gibraltarian Chickpea Puree: From the newsletter: Last week's feature was dedicated to chick peas, and included a recipe for a Ligurian chickpea polenta called panissa that drew an interesting reply from Maria:
Calentita: Gibraltarian Chickpea Puree: Calentita, a Gibraltarian Chickpea Puree: From the newsletter: Last week's feature was dedicated to chick peas, and included a recipe for a Ligurian chickpea polenta called panissa that drew an interesting reply from Maria:
Chickpeas with Pork Temple -- Ceci e Tempia di Maiale
Chickpeas with Pork Temple, or Ceci e Tempia di Maiale: Politics sometimes has funny effects in the kitchen. The Spaniards who occupied Milano in the 1600s were great lovers of chickpeas, and this is something the Milanese developed to do with the food of their overlords. When the overlords left the dish remained, and is now traditionally served in Milano on November 2, the day of the Dead.
Chickpeas with Pork Temple, or Ceci e Tempia di Maiale: Politics sometimes has funny effects in the kitchen. The Spaniards who occupied Milano in the 1600s were great lovers of chickpeas, and this is something the Milanese developed to do with the food of their overlords. When the overlords left the dish remained, and is now traditionally served in Milano on November 2, the day of the Dead.
Stewed Chickpeas -- Ceci in Umido
Chickpeas may not be as protein-rich as some other legumes, but were still an important source of protein for those who couldn't afford to buy meat often (much of the Italian population until the 1950s). All the more important because they're also an excellent source of calories. The wealthy might have eaten this with a roast, and the poor as a main course. Now these stewed chickpeas could work with a roast or stew, and could also be nice in a barbecue, much like beans.
Chickpeas may not be as protein-rich as some other legumes, but were still an important source of protein for those who couldn't afford to buy meat often (much of the Italian population until the 1950s). All the more important because they're also an excellent source of calories. The wealthy might have eaten this with a roast, and the poor as a main course. Now these stewed chickpeas could work with a roast or stew, and could also be nice in a barbecue, much like beans.
Lentils -- Lenticchi
Lentils, or Lenticchi: Here's a Calabrian recipe for lentils. Though it's obviously a side dish, it will also work nicely as a light meal with a tossed salad. In terms of a wine, a Ciró Bianco comes to mind.
Lentils, or Lenticchi: Here's a Calabrian recipe for lentils. Though it's obviously a side dish, it will also work nicely as a light meal with a tossed salad. In terms of a wine, a Ciró Bianco comes to mind.
Lentil and Cotechino Stew: Zuppa di Lenticchie e Cotechino
A thick lentil stew to go with cotechino, which will also double as a side dish.
A thick lentil stew to go with cotechino, which will also double as a side dish.
Ceci!
A quick collection of chickpea recipes from the folks at Nebula Search.Com.
A quick collection of chickpea recipes from the folks at Nebula Search.Com.
Burgher-Style Lentils -- Lenticchie alla Borghese
Burgher-Style Lentils, or Lenticchie alla Borghese: I'm not sure what gives these lentils their social position; the recipe is in any case Ligurian.
Burgher-Style Lentils, or Lenticchie alla Borghese: I'm not sure what gives these lentils their social position; the recipe is in any case Ligurian.
Ceci in Zimino
Chick peas with greens, a vegetarian version of the more classic polpo (octopus) in zimino, from Clifford Wright. Looks tasty.
Chick peas with greens, a vegetarian version of the more classic polpo (octopus) in zimino, from Clifford Wright. Looks tasty.