September 16, 2019 - Beans with pasta, or pašta fažol, is a dish that arrived in Boka Bay through Venice, which ruled the area for almost 400 years. Indeed, the recipe has undergone modifications over the centuries, and it has adapted to our climate with the addition of dry, mostly pork meat coming to Boka from neighboring Montenegro.
This dish is not so complicated to prepare, but it takes time for preparation, so make sure to plan it one day in advance.
Ingredients:
• 300 g of dried beans (brown beans)
• 100 g of Penne pasta (or some other type you prefer)
• 700-800 g of dry meat (pancetta, smoked sausages)
• 500 g sliced pancetta
• Four cloves of garlic
• parsley
• Three tablespoons of olive oil
• One tablespoon of flour
• Two medium-sized onions finely chopped
• One large carrot (rendered)
• Two bay leaves
• 2-3 tablespoons of smashed tomatoes
• One teaspoon of sweet red pepper
• Grounded black pepper
• 1-2 tablespoons of tomato concentrate
• Salt
Preparation
The beans should be soaked in cold water the day before to swell. Drain the rest of the water, put in fresh water and boil for about ten minutes. Then strain again.
In a large saucepan, whisk together the chopped garlic, parsley, and pancetta leaves. Next, add a tablespoon of flour and whisk until just combined, then add a small tablespoon of sweet peppers and some tomatoes. Add grilled beans and dried meat. If the dried meat is homemade, it would be a good idea to cook it for 15 minutes before the excess salt comes out. If you are adding vacuum dried meat bought in a supermarket, it is sufficient to pre-wash it in warm water. Pour water to cover all contents of the pot (approx. 3 liters). Add shredded carrot, onion, bay leaf, pepper, and salt. Salt carefully, depending on the dried meat you are adding to the beans.
Cook the beans for about an hour and a half on medium heat. If you use an express cooking dish, the beans will be cooked in less than an hour.
Remove the meat when it is cooked and soft enough, and take it from side to side.
Continue to cook the beans with the addition of 1-2 tablespoons of canned tomatoes. Cook until the bean meal is thick with cream soup. Cook the Penne pasta, or other types you like, and add to beans. Cook for another ten minutes. When the pasta is combined with the beans, return the dried meat to the pan and let it cook for another ten minutes.
With beans with pasta, it is great to serve any pickled vegetables, as well as lettuce or fresh tomatoes. Some Bokelians like to add some vinegar in Pašta Fažola, but it depends on your taste! Bon Apetit!
