Description
Minestra Maritata, also known as Italian Wedding Soup, is a hearty and comforting dish blending tender greens, flavorful meatballs, and rich broth. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this soup embodies the soul of Italian tradition. 🍲✨
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broth:
- 10 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Greens:
- 2 large bunches of escarole or kale (chopped and blanched)
Final Touch:
- 2 large eggs (lightly whisked)
- Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Broth:
- Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until fragrant (about 5 minutes).
- Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let the flavors meld together for 10 minutes.
Make the Meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, pork, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs. Chill them for 15 minutes to hold their shape.
Cook the Meatballs:
- Add the meatballs to the simmering broth. Cook for 10–12 minutes or until fully cooked.
Add the Greens:
- Blanch the escarole or kale in boiling water for 2–3 minutes, then drain. Add the greens to the soup and let simmer for 5–7 minutes.
Final Touch:
- Slowly drizzle whisked eggs into the soup while stirring gently to create ribbons. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread on the side.
Notes
- Substitute kale, spinach, or Swiss chard if escarole is unavailable.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meatballs with mushrooms or plant-based alternatives.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg