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How to Make Italian Minestra – Beans and Greens Soup

Enjoy this simple yet nutritious and flavorful Italian Cucina Povera specialty.

February 10, 2021 By Mary's Nest 3 Comments

How to Make Italian Minestra – Beans and Greens Soup

Watch the How to Make Beans and Greens Soup – Italian Minestra – White Bean Soup Recipe video

Join me today as we make Minestra, an Italian soup commonly made with Beans and Greens. This traditional soup is easy to make, and it’s packed with nutrition and flavor!

*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My videos and blog posts may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.

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What Does Minestra Mean?

You might chuckle when you learn that the meaning of the Italian word Minestra simply means soup! But if you know a little Italian, you might be saying, “Hold on there, Mary. Zuppa means soup in Italian!” And you would be right.

The term Minestra is actually quite a bit older—linguistically speaking—than the word Zuppa. And while I say quite a bit older, I mean by a few centuries! The word Minestra is from the Latin word Ministrare which means “to administer.” It referred to a meal that was served—administered—out of one bowl or one pot by the head of the household. In essence, it was a one-pot meal. Centuries ago, while the wealthy of Italy might have had multiple course meals, the poor had a one-course meal, and it was often a Minestra.

Many Households, Many Minestras!

Today, the term Minestra can refer to many different types of soups. And often after the word Minestra, you might see another word tagged on to give you some idea of what type of soup it is. An example of this is Minestra Maritata—or Italian Wedding Soup—which is similar to the basic Minestra but with the addition of little meatballs.

Throughout Italy, every region (and actually quite often every household) has its own version of Minestra. But even though there are many versions, the soups commonly referred to as Minestra are made with some type of white bean and tender bitter green. Given that this is an Italian soup, the beans are often cannellini beans, and the greens are escarole.

Thanks to all the variations, Minestra is the type of soup that can be served hot, warm, or at room temperature. You can even serve it cold, making Minestra the perfect four-season soup!

Where Does Zuppa Fit In?

The term Zuppa, which also translates to mean soup, refers more to a broth than a hearty soup. To serve Zuppa, cooks usually place a piece of bread in a bowl and ladle the soup over it. Often, a stale piece of bread will do. This Zuppa or brothy soup never contains pasta or rice. And just like the linguistic history of Minestra, Zuppa has its own history. It is derived from the word suppa, which means “soaked bread.”

I have to share a little bit of food history—which you know I love! But be warned, this history might offend our modern-day sanitary sensibilities!

During the Middle Ages, servants would serve food to the nobility on pieces of bread, known in English as “trenches.” The bread absorbed the juices of the food placed on them. After the nobles finished their meals, the servants would use these trenches, which were often soaked with meat juices, as the bread for their zuppas!

So as you can see, both Minestra and Zuppa were “Cucina Povera.” Technically, Cucina Povera means “poor cooking,” but it is generally translated as “peasant cooking.”

If this simple Italian home cooking is something you are interested in learning more about, be sure to read one of my favorite cookbooks on the subject titled Italian Country Cooking: The Secrets of Cucina Povera by Loukie Werle.

The Minestra I Grew Up With

Having a mom of Northern Italian heritage, we ate a lot of Italian food. And specifically the foods of Northern Italy, including:

  • Mostarda di Frutta
  • Panettone
  • Polenta
  • Risotto
  • Torrone
  • And more!

Although the original Minestra most likely originated as a southern Italian dish, my mom, like most Italians, had a version of Minestra she liked best. Her version consisted of the simple combination of cannellini beans and escarole in a rich chicken broth. She flavored her soup with onions, garlic, and butter, topped off with a healthy grating of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

This Minestra recipe is truly simple and nutritious home cooking at its best. And it is very budget-friendly—Cucina Povera!

Easy Minestra Recipe Substitutions

In my recipe video where I show you how to make Minestra, I share some options for the type of beans and the kind of greens you can use. So don’t worry if you don’t have the specific ingredients on hand.

As I described earlier, Minestra has many variations from region to region in Italy as well as from household to household. Being of Northern Italian heritage, my mom used A LOT of butter in her cooking. (Julia Child would have loved her!) But in the version I share here, I go all-in with the Mediterranean Diet and use olive oil. But either fat will work.

And don’t worry if you don’t have any beans on hand! Even my mom occasionally substituted rice (a Northern Italian twist) when she forgot to soak her beans! So use what you have, and you will enjoy a very flavorful and comforting soup.

How to Make Beans VERY Digestible!

If you have been hesitant to eat beans because you have difficulty digesting them, I have two important tips to share with you. First, if you are starting with dry beans, soaking them for an extended period can significantly increase their digestibility.

In my How to Cook Dried Beans video, I show you how you can soak any type of bean and then how to cook it—the right way—for maximum digestibility.

  • How to Cook Dried Beans – The Right Way – For Maximum Nutrition

Second, you can go one step further to increase the digestibility of your beans and maximize their nutrient absorption. In the following tutorial video, I show you how to soak and sprout beans. I also share a little tip as to why it really makes a difference as to what season you choose to try and sprout your beans.

How to Soak and Sprout Beans YouTube video
  • How to Soak and Sprout Beans – Techniques for Seasonal Differences

Using Chicken Bone Broth in Your Recipe

As I show you in my recipe video, you can make your Beans and Greens Soup with a base of Chicken Bone Broth. Check out the videos below where I show you three different ways to make Chicken Bone Broth with nothing more than chicken scraps in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the Instant Pot.

How to Make Roast Chicken Bone Broth For Pennies a Jar
  • Slow cooker: How to Make Roast Chicken Bone Broth for Pennies a Jar
Stovetop Chicken Bone Broth Recipe Video
  • How to Make Stovetop Chicken Bone Broth
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Recipe Video
  • Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth That Gels Every Time

Using a Mineral Broth instead of Chicken Broth

If you would like to keep your Minestra vegetarian, watch my recipe video on how to create a tasty and nutritious vegetable mineral broth.

Mary standing in front of a basket of vegetables used to make Super Mineral Broth.
  • Super Mineral Broth Recipe on the Stovetop – Natural Immune Booster

Make Home Baked Bread for Your Soup

When it comes to Minestra, you have to bake some delicious, fresh bread to serve alongside it! So why not try a simple Batter Bread that can be ready in 90 minutes from start to finish? This no-knead, yeast-risen bread is wonderful hot right out of the oven or toasted later for a delicious crunch.

  • Batter Bread – The EASIEST No Knead Bread You’ll Ever Make in 90 Minutes!

More Italian Recipes

If you would like to learn how to make two traditional Northern Italian classics, check out the videos below where I share how to make an easy Polenta and a hearty show stopper Chickpea and Pork Rib Soup. Your family and friends will be clamoring for more!

  • Polenta Recipe – How to Make Grilled Polenta with Tomato Sauce or Fresh Tomatoes
Chickpea and Pork Rib Soup Recipe Video
  • Chickpea and Pork Rib Soup Recipe – A Northern Italian All Saints’ Day Tradition

Here are some more of the Italian recipes that I grew up with and that I am so happy to share with you:

Italian Fish Stew Cioppino Recipe Video
  • Cioppino – Italian Fish Stew Recipe
How to Ferment Vegetables Giardiniera Recipe Video
  • How to Make Fermented Giardiniera – Probiotic Rich Italian Pickle Relish
Italian Easter Bread Recipe Video
  • Italian Easter Bread Recipe – Sweet, Light, and Fluffy
Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe Video
  • Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe

Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest

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  2. Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) - Get a free eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.

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I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!

Love,
Mary ♥
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Minestra – Beans and Greens Soup

This traditional soup is easy to make and is packed with nutrition and flavor.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Soups, Soups & Stews
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Greens and Beans Soup, Minestra
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Mary’s Nest

Equipment

  • Medium-sized saucepan or soup pot

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 medium Yellow or white onion, peeled and diced
  • 4 cloves Fresh garlic, chopped fine
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 3-4 cups Cooked cannellini beans or another white bean, divided
  • 1 quart Chicken bone broth or chicken broth Vegetable broth or water may be substituted.
  • 1 head Escarole or other tender green, washed and chopped
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated Optional

Instructions

  • Pour olive oil into the saucepan or soup pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium.
  • Add onion to the heated olive oil, and sauté until the onion is softened and translucent. This process takes 2-3 minutes.
  • Add chopped garlic, and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
  • Add the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Add half of the beans to the onion and garlic mixture. Mash the beans. (See video.)
  • Add the chopped escarole to the onion, garlic, and mashed bean mixture, and stir well to incorporate the greens.
  • Add the remaining beans and broth to the pot, stir well, and bring the mixture up to a boil. Next, turn the heat to medium, cover the pot, and allow the soup to simmer for 10 minutes.
  • After 10 minutes, turn off the heat. Your soup is ready to serve, and you can ladle it into soup bowls. If you want, you can also grate cheese on top of the soup.
  • This soup will stay fresh, refrigerated for 3-4 days. Or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/how-to-make-italian-minestra-beans-and-greens-soup/
Copyright © 2021 Mary’s Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

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Recommended Reading

  • Italian Country Cooking: The Secrets of Cucina Povera
  • The 3-Season Diet: Eat the Way Nature Intended: Lose Weight, Beat Food Cravings, and Get Fit
  • Spontaneous Healing: How to Discover and Embrace Your Body’s Natural Ability to Maintain and Heal Itself
  • Deep Nutrition
  • Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats
  • Nourishing Broth: An Old-Fashioned Remedy for the Modern World
  • Nourishing Diets: How Paleo, Ancestral and Traditional Peoples Really Ate
  • Nourishing Fats: Why We Need Animal Fats for Health and Happiness

**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.

Filed Under: Bean Soup, Beans and Greens Soup - Minestra, Soup Tagged With: Beans and Greens Soup, Minestra, Soup

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristyn Hall says

    February 12, 2021 at 10:17 am

    This looks so nourishing ♡ Perfect for a cold winter day. Peasant cooking is my favorite, from any culture. I love the thought of moms from all over the world, making the most of what was available. Thank you, Mary.

    Reply
  2. BETH BELL says

    February 13, 2021 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    I’m southern where beans and greens are a normal staple, but it had never occurred to me to cook them together as a soup. I saw this recipe on Fb and I had all of the ingredients laying around, and I cooked it up yesterday. I used spinach for my greens, and it came out wonderful. A must try easy to make house and body warming recipe. Thanks again Mary

    Reply
    • Mary's Nest says

      February 18, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      Oh Beth! I am so happy to hear this!! Glad you enjoyed it!! Love, Mary

      Reply

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