Italian Cuisine - Minestrone

Minestrone Soup

History

There are different explanations about the origins and meaning of the word Minestrone – both are mentioned in this article as no one seems sure where the truth lies.

Minestrone comes from “Minestra” meaning soup, and the suffix –one makes it big soup. The origins of the word are Latin “minestrare” meaning to serve, generally food and drink, so it is a mix of “served soup”.

The word comes from “Minestra”, meaning rice, pasta or vegetables served in broth. You can also have “Minestrina con pastina” which is little minestra with little pasta, in other words small ingredients added or minestrone which has large ingredients. These are normal Italian suffixes,” –ina” is a small something and “–one” is a large something. Minestrone not only has large pieces of vegetables, but often has one of the large types of pasta added too.

Minestrone originated in the Roman Empire, long before it became the Roman Empire. A soup is mentioned in an old cookbook from 30AD, Marcus Apicius's De Re Coquinaria, that contains most of the ingredients of the more modern minestrone. As explorers travelled the world and more ingredients became available these were added over time, and it is believed that this soup was simply made with whatever vegetables were present at the time and even in many cases using leftovers. For that reason there is not really a traditional recipe.

Variations

As there is no fixed recipe you can add or remove any vegetables you wish and make this different each time you make it.

You can add any other vegetables such as aubergine and pumpkin, and herbs like parsley, oregano and basil. A drop of curry can offer a tasty variation while chillies make it hotter.

Adding pasta makes this more filling and is a good hearty winter meal.

Minestrone alla Genovese is the version used in Liguria, and it includes pesto.

Minestrone alla Milanese has added sage, cabbage, peas, cheese and rice.

Minestrone alla Friulanaextra ingredients are barley, lard and pork.

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Minestrone Soup - Minestrone Soup - 1 Bowl

Servings:  1 Bowl

 

Calories                                110         Sodium                    840 mg

Total Fat                               2 g          Potassium                   0 mg

Saturated                              0 g          Total Carbs               18 g

Polyunsaturated                  0 g          Dietary Fiber             4 g

Monounsaturated               0 g          Sugars   4 g

Trans                                     0 g          Protein 5 g

Cholesterol                           2 mg                      

Vitamin A                             0%          Calcium                       0%

Vitamin C                             0%          Iron                              0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Reference  :

http://articlereviewwriters.weebly.com/minestrone-history-recipe-and-variations.html

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/homemade-minestrone-soup-minestrone-soup-1-bowl-334367307