Fava Bean and Pea Soup
La zuppetta di fave e piselli, or fava bean and pea soup, is a classic dish from southern Italy. I mean, especially in places like Puglia and Sicily.
- Fava beans 3 cups
- Peas 3.1 cups
- Onions 0.7 cup
- Water to taste
- Mint 3 leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
- Fine salt to taste
- To prepare the fava bean and pea soup, first clean and finely chop the onion 1 . Heat a drizzle of oil in a saucepan 2 and add the chopped onion 3 .
- Pour in about 3 tbsp (≈1.7 fl oz) of water taken from the total amount 4 and let the onion sweat 5 for about 3 minutes 5 . When the onion has softened, add the peas 6 .
- Add the fava beans as well 7 and pour in the remaining water 8 . Season with salt 9 .
- Stir and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes 10 . After this time the legumes will be cooked; then perfume with fresh mint 11 . With the heat off, purée everything using an immersion blender 12 .
- You should obtain a smooth, creamy consistency 13 . Plate and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some fresh mint leaves 14 . Your fava bean and pea soup is ready to be served 15 !
Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 5 min
- Cook time: 25 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Low
La zuppetta di fave e piselli, or fava bean and pea soup, is a classic dish from southern Italy. I mean, especially in places like Puglia and Sicily.
When the markets burst with fresh produce—so so amazing—this pea soup often finds its way to family tables. Really, it does. The creamy mix of fresh fava beans and sweet green peas gives the dish a light, moist feel, while a handful of chopped mint elevates the flavor.
Everything cooks in one pot, highlighting the Italian focus on simple, fresh ingredients. Typically served warm, you can also enjoy it slightly cooled.
Which is great. It pairs wonderfully with toasted bread—crunchy, you'll love it. This fava bean soup is a real treat, bursting with springtime freshness yet comforting enough for cooler days.
The peas add a pop of sweetness, while the fava beans contribute an earthy, tangy flavor. And the mint? It brightens the dish, making each bowl feel both light and satisfying.
You can experiment with extra herbs or a drizzle of olive oil—your call—for a personalized touch. And here's the thing, the standout feature of this soup is the fresh vegetable taste in every bite, appealing even to those who usually skip vegetarian dishes. It's a healthy legume soup that fits perfectly with the easy soup recipes of Mediterranean kitchens.
For sure. Whether you're craving spring soup recipes or exploring new homemade soup ideas for lighter meals, this dish brings the best of Italian spring straight to your table, offering a comforting and elegant experience.
Enjoy it as a starter or a light meal, and let the flavors transport you to the beautiful Italian countryside—just awesome, really.
- INGREDIENTS
- Fava beans 3 cups (500 g)
- Peas 3.1 cups (500 g)
- Onions 0.7 cup (90 g)
- Extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp (40 g)
How to prepare Fava Bean and Pea Soup
To prepare the fava bean and pea soup, first clean and finely chop the onion 1. Heat a drizzle of oil in a saucepan 2 and add the chopped onion 3.
Pour in about 3 tbsp (≈1.7 fl oz) of water taken from the total amount 4 and let the onion sweat 5 for about 3 minutes 5. When the onion has softened, add the peas 6.
Add the fava beans as well 7 and pour in the remaining water 8. Season with salt 9.
Stir and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes 10. After this time the legumes will be cooked; then perfume with fresh mint 11. With the heat off, purée everything using an immersion blender 12.
You should obtain a smooth, creamy consistency 13. Plate and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some fresh mint leaves 14. Your fava bean and pea soup is ready to be served 15!
