Corsican Minestra Recipe

Name: Corsican Minestra
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve; 1 large onion, chopped; 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1 leek, cleaned and cut into evenly sized pieces; 250 g dried borlotti beans (1/2 lb) or 250 g cranberry beans, soaked overnight in cold water (1/2 lb); 450 g new potatoes (1 lb, 1/4-in dice) or 450 g yellow fin potatoes (1 lb, 1/4-in dice) or 450 g red potatoes (1 lb, 1/4-in dice) or 450 g white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-cm dice (1 lb, 1/4-i…; 250 g carrots, peeled, cut into 1cm dice (1/2 lb, 1/4-in dice); 2 celery ribs, cut into 1cm dice (1/4-in dice); 1 beefsteak tomatoes or 1 slicing tomatoes, skinned and chopped; 1 rosemary sprig, leaves finely chopped; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 2 liters water (2 qts & 3 oz); 1 14 kg smoked ham hock (2.64 lbs) or 1 kg smoked gammon steak, cubed (2.2 lbs.); 250 g green beans, trimmed and cut into 1cm pieces (1/2 lb, 1/4-in dice); 2 courgettes (1/4-in dice) or 2 zucchini, cut into 1cm dice (1/4-in dice); 500 g green cabbage, core removed and thinly sliced (1.1 lb); 75 g dried tagliatelle pasta noodles, broken into 5cm pieces (2.65 oz); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano; 10 g flat leaf parsley, chopped (.35 oz); 500 ml water (1 qt.)

Servings: persons

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
1 large onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 leek, cleaned and cut into evenly sized pieces
250 g dried borlotti beans (1/2 lb) or 250 g cranberry beans, soaked overnight in cold water (1/2 lb)
450 g new potatoes (1 lb, 1/4-in dice) or 450 g yellow fin potatoes (1 lb, 1/4-in dice) or 450 g red potatoes (1 lb, 1/4-in dice) or 450 g white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-cm dice (1 lb, 1/4-in dice)
250 g carrots, peeled, cut into 1cm dice (1/2 lb, 1/4-in dice)
2 celery ribs, cut into 1cm dice (1/4-in dice)
1 beefsteak tomatoes or 1 slicing tomatoes, skinned and chopped
1 rosemary sprig, leaves finely chopped
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 liters water (2 qts & 3 oz)
1 14 kg smoked ham hock (2.64 lbs) or 1 kg smoked gammon steak, cubed (2.2 lbs.)
250 g green beans, trimmed and cut into 1cm pieces (1/2 lb, 1/4-in dice)
2 courgettes (1/4-in dice) or 2 zucchini, cut into 1cm dice (1/4-in dice)
500 g green cabbage, core removed and thinly sliced (1.1 lb)
75 g dried tagliatelle pasta noodles, broken into 5cm pieces (2.65 oz)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
10 g flat leaf parsley, chopped (.35 oz)
500 ml water (1 qt.)

1
Heat the oil in a really large pan, add the onion, garlic and leek, and cook gently for 34 minutes.
2
Drain the soaked beans and add to the pan with the potatoes, carrots, celery, tomato, rosemary, dried oregano and 2 liters water.
3
Add the ham hock or gammon to the pan and press the pieces down into the soup so they are totally submerged.
4
Bring everything to a simmer and leave to cook, uncovered, for 1 hour.
5
Add the green beans, courgettes, cabbage, tagliatelle and fresh oregano and simmer for a further 1520 minutes until the soup is thick.
6
If using ham hock, remove the pieces, pull the meat off the bone and tear it into small chunks.
7
Discard the skin and bone and stir the ham back into the soup.
8
Add the parsley and up to 500ml hot water to loosen it slightly.
9
Season with pepper.
10
Serve in large, warmed soup bowls, drizzled with a little more olive oil.

710

kcal

Calories

Fat

114

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 20 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve, 1 large onion, chopped, 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, 1 leek, cleaned and cut into evenly sized pieces, and more.

Yes, Corsican Minestra falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Corsican Minestra

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions