Full of Beans - Pasta E Fagioli, a Peasant Dish Rich in Nutrients and Flavor

Thick or thin, Rhode Islanders love their tomato sauce over pasta or as soup broth. No wonder, since 19 % of its residents are Italian - purportedly the highest percentage of any state. Between 1876 and 1924, over four and a half million Italians arrived in the US, establishing communities in the Northeast, often referred to as "Little Italys." Noted for their hard work ethic, many became fishermen, shoemakers, waiters, fruit sellers, and tradesmen. Most were blue-collar unskilled Workers in construction and excavation, they need to skimp on food in a desperate attempt to save money. With the availability of cheap pasta e fagioli, the peasant dish of pasta and beans, colloquially and commonly known as pasta fazool, emerged.

The historic center of Federal Hill in Providence, RI was one of the most densely populated community and the nation's largest Italian turn of the twentieth century. Currently, the percentage ofresidents with Italian extraction have spread their ethnic roots to the outskirts of Providence and North Providence, as well as the communities of Johnston, Westerly, Cranston, Warwick, and Bristol. Naturally, pasta fazool is a favorite dish served in restaurants throughout the state primarily as an appetizer, or a hearty meal cooked at home.

Full of beans, just one bowl of pasta e fagioli supplies nutrients promoting good health. Beans provide an excellent source of fiber, and pasta fulfills our carbohydrate intake. Plentiful vitamins include thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, A, B6, B12, C, and E, folate and pantothenic acid. Minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium abound.

As with many regional specialties, pasta e fagioli has many variations so there are numerous recipes. My recipe is quite simple and low in fat as I skip the olive oil. Thrifty, tasty, and nutritious - be sure to have a fresh loaf of crusty bread on hand. We Italians not only enjoy breaking bread with family and friends, but dunking a hunk or two in the tomato enriched broth.

Recipe for Pasta e Fagioli

Ingredients

3 large chicken bouillon cubes (low sodium) dissolved in 10 - 12 c. boiling water

1 Tbsp. dried Italian herb seasoning

¼ tsp. onion powder

¼ tsp. black pepper

1 lb. Dittalini pasta

1 28. oz can, crushed tomatoes

2 cans (15 oz.) - cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

4 stalks of celery - finely chopped

Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

1.Into boiling water add bouillon cubes, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, onion powder, pepper, and celery. Stir in pasta. Reduce heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender - 10 to 11 minutes.

2.Stir in beans; cook until beans are heated through.

3.Serve immediately and garnish with cheese.

Sedersi a tavola. When Italians sit down to eat, we forgot our troubles, dear love and bask in the company of family. Although Pasta e Fagioli is considered a peasant dish because it's a cheap meal is rich in flavor and nutrients. The Ballad of Pastafazoola, a 1927 novelty song that leads to the point - ". Do not be stupid, eat pasta fazool" Pass the bread, please.