Tuscan bean and farro soup (zuppa di farro)

This bean and spelt soup hails from the Lucca region of Tuscany, known for its hearty, honest cuisine. Rich in legumes and grains, it’s a rustic, comforting dish made with farro, borlotti beans, and good olive oil. Creamy and nourishing, this traditional Luccan soup is perfect for cozy winter dinners.

Creamy fennel and saffron soup

A silky Tuscan soup of browned fennel and saffron, light and golden, made with just a handful of ingredients. An elegant first course for autumn.
Bowl of creamy artichoke soup topped with toasted nuts

Creamy artichoke soup with potato and toasted hazelnuts

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This is an adapted version of a traditional Jewish-Italian Purim dish.
Creamy Certaldo red onion soup with toasted bread

Certaldo onion soup: Tuscan red onion soup with toasted bread

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Our local town, Certaldo, had been famous for almost a thousand years for its delicious red onions. A group of local farmers has been growing them and popularising them again. They are used in many dishes. One of the most popular is this simple, warming soup.
Acquacotta, Tuscan vegetable soup with egg

Acquacotta: Tuscan “cooked water” soup with kale and egg

Tuscan acquacotta, or “cooked water”: a hearty vegetable soup with cavolo nero, porcini and tomato, served over toasted bread and topped with an egg.
Bowl of pasta e ceci with rosemary

Pasta e ceci: Tuscan pasta and chickpea soup with rosemary

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This dish is lighter than it sounds, but is satisfying enough to have as a one-course meal with bread to dip into the bowl. It is a hit on our cooking courses in Italy, particularly the vegetarian ones.
Bowl of Tuscan minestrone with cavolo nero and beans

Tuscan minestrone with cavolo nero and beans

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The distinctive taste of this soup comes from the cavolo nero ("black cabbage"). This has recently been popularized by chefs such as Jamie Oliver and is now available in many farmers' markets.
Bowl of pappa al pomodoro with basil and olive oil

Pappa al pomodoro: Tuscan tomato, bread and basil soup

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This classic summer dish is very versatile: it can be eaten hot, at room temperature or chilled. It does however rely on ripe, tasty tomatoes.
Bowl of spring minestrone with vegetables and beans

Spring minestrone: light Tuscan vegetable soup with beans

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A slow-cooked minestrone made with fresh seasonal ingredients and served with good bread is a healthy and delicious dinner or lunch.

Roasted red pepper soup with garlic yogurt

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Manuela adapted a green pepper soup that she tasted in the famous Cibrèo in Florence, and came up with this smooth, full-flavoured delight.