Minestra Maltija

Thick Maltese vegetable soup with beans and pasta or grains.

• Serves: 4-6 people
• Preparation: 15 min
• Cooking: 50 min

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion (150g), chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots (200g), diced
• 2 potatoes (400g), diced
• 1 zucchini (250g), diced
• ¼ small cabbage (300g), shredded
• 1 cup pumpkin (200g), diced
• 100g peas (fresh or frozen)
• 400g chopped tomatoes (fresh or tinned)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1.2-1.5 litres vegetable stock or water
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Small handful fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: 60-80g small pasta or rice
• Fresh ġbejna (optional but traditional)
• Crusty Maltese bread
• Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Method

1. Soften the onion and garlic in olive oil, then add the chopped carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, courgette, cabbage and peas.
2. Add tomato, beans and enough water or stock, then simmer until everything is tender.
3. Add softer vegetables according to their cooking time.
4. Stir in the small pasta near the end and cook until just tender, adding liquid as necessary.
5. Season and finish with olive oil before serving.