Pasta e Ceci - Pasta and Chickpeas
Pasta e Ceci (pasta and chickpeas) - another rustic Italian dish that is absolutely delightful! I am always blown away by how flavorful and complex so many Italian recipes are even though their ingredients are fairly simple and few. Italy’s “cucina povera” is some of the most delicious and comforting food around and this dish proves it!
As with so many Italian dishes, there are different ways to prepare Pasta e Ceci. I think it’s the way the Italian like to do it. Probably the only thing everyone can agree on in this dish, is that there is in fact Pasta and Ceci :)
the recipe for italian pasta e ceci
THE INGREDIENTS
Olive oil
1/2 Cup onion diced - about 1/2 of a small onion
2 Small carrots diced
1 Clove of garlic minced or pressed
1 sprig rosemary
1 sprig thyme
1-15 oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and their juices
1 - 15 oz can peeled chopped tomatoes and their juices
Salt and pepper to taste
10 oz short pasta*
Water or broth as needed
In a large sauté pan or dutch oven over medium heat, add 3 tbsp of Olive oil. Add in the onion and carrot and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened - 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute more.
Add in the tomatoes, rosemary sprig and thyme sprig and cook for about 5 minutes.
Using an immersion blender or a food processer, puree 1/3 can of chickpeas and add into the pan along with the rest of the whole chickpeas and the juices.
Season with salt and pepper and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. After the 10 min, remove rosemary and thyme sprigs if desired.
In a separate pan cook the pasta according to the package directions. When done add into the chickpea mixture, stir to combine. Add in broth or the pasta water to create your desired consistency. Season again with salt and pepper if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
*I wanted to use ditalini pasta for this recipe but it hasn’t been in the store for a few weeks. I decided to work with the short spiral pasta which turned out very well. You could also use orecchini pasta or farfalle pasta.