[aristeides]

I got a cold a couple of weeks ago, so I retreated to my store of canned soups. When I ran out of the cans I had stored of Progresso Pasta Fagioli, I started looking in stores for replacements. Nowhere could I find any cans of Pasta Fagioli, Progresso or any other brand. Not in supermarkets, not in any of the Italian delis here in the D.C. area where I looked. Have they stopped making it? Am I going to have to learn how to cook pasta fagioli for myself, or is there anywhere I can go to get it in cans?

[JoeA]

I haven't seen that, but there is actually a pretty decent version in a soup starter bag, made by .... darned if I can remember the name.

[carlo3b]

Pasta e Fagioli

This dish is also called "Pasta Fazool"
in many southern Italian dialects.
This is the real thingy, we ate as kids instead of Chicken Noodle soup.

1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 small onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
One 14½ ounce can chicken broth
One 14½ ounce can Italian style chopped tomatoes
One 15 ounce can white beans, drained
1 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. crushed fennel seed
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 cup small pasta (shells or macaroni)

In large heavy saucepan, brown and crumble ground pork.
Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft, about 3 minutes.
Stir in all remaining ingredients; bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until pasta is tender.    

[Wombat101]

Pasta Fagiole is quite easy to make, my friend...

Soak your cannolini beans overnight in warm water. When you're ready to cook them, drain well, add one can of good chicken stock, one fresh head of escarole, one carrot (chopped), one potato (chopped), salt, fresh garlic,onion and crushed red pepper to taste. You can also put a strip of bacon in it, too. Simmer until the beans get soft and, well, soupy. Add a little olive oil (preferably seasoned with garlic and/or rosemary) and a large dose of parmigiana cheese.

Cook your pasta separately, preferably something small and tubular (NOT Elbows!), drain well, add to the soup.

The whole thing takes about 20 minutes...

Totaly awesome meal with some garlic bread, and of course, a glass of red wine. This is the Sicilian version of the Italian classic. I'm sure you'll be getting a different recipe from every region of Italy pretty soon.