Deborah Chan
Wedding soup, also known as Italian wedding soup, is a dish that is especially popular in Pittsburgh. It is a soup consisting mainly of green vegetables and meat in chicken broth. The name wedding soup is a mistranslation of the Italian phrase minestra maritata, which means wedded broths, referring to the marriage of flavours between the meat and vegetables in the broth. While it is available throughout the United States, it is especially popular in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Southern Italy |
| Original name | Minestra maritata |
| Original meaning | Combination of meats and vegetables |
| Original ingredients | Undesirable vegetables, meat scraps, sausage, pork ribs, pork skin, salami, intestine |
| American ingredients | Meatballs, small pasta, greens (escarole, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, mustard greens, cabbage) |
| Pittsburgh ingredients | Meatballs, chicken, spinach, pasta, chicken broth |
| Popularity in Pittsburgh | Very popular |
| Popularity in the US | Popular, especially in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania |
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What You'll Learn
Italian wedding soup is available across the US
Italian wedding soup is widely available across the US, although it is especially popular in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. The soup is a staple in many Italian restaurants and diners across the country, and you can also buy canned wedding soup from brands like Campbell and Progresso.
The name 'wedding soup' comes from a mistranslation of the Italian phrase 'minestra maritata', which means 'married soup' or 'wedded broth', referring to the marriage of flavours from the combination of meat and vegetables. The soup is also sometimes called minestrone, or pasta e fagioli when beans are included.
The soup typically consists of small meatballs, pasta, and bitter green vegetables like spinach, kale, escarole, mustard greens, swiss chard, or cabbage. The meat in the meatballs is often beef or pork, and the pasta can be orzo, acini di pepe, or ditalini. In Naples, the soup is served at the celebration of Santo Stefano just after Christmas and includes at least seven different greens, along with beef and pecorino cheese, and is baked like a pie.
While Italian wedding soup is available across the US, it is particularly associated with Pittsburgh, where it is a regional speciality. It can be found on the menu at many Italian and family restaurants in the Pittsburgh area, and there is even a local company that produces dry soup mixes for this dish.
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It's called 'wedding soup' due to a mistranslation
Wedding soup, or Italian wedding soup, is a popular dish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is also available throughout the United States, especially in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. The soup is commonly found on the menus of Italian and family restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. However, despite its name, it is not typically served at weddings.
The name "wedding soup" is derived from a mistranslation of the Italian phrase "minestra maritata," which translates to "married soup" or "wedded broths." The term "minestra maritata" refers to the marriage of flavours, specifically the combination of meat and vegetables in the soup. The dish is a classic example of "cucina povera," or peasant food, where the main ingredients vary by region but typically include tough, hard-to-cook vegetables and meat scraps.
Italian wedding soup typically includes small meatballs, bitter greens like escarole or kale, and pea-sized pasta. The tiny meatballs are more common in American versions of the soup, while Italian recipes may include larger meatballs or chunks of meat such as sausage, pork, or salami. In Naples, the soup is served as a celebration of Santo Stefano just after Christmas and includes beef and seven different types of greens.
In Pittsburgh, the soup is often made with meatballs, pasta, and greens, such as kale or Swiss chard. It is a popular dish in the region, with many local companies selling dry soup mixes that are easy to prepare.
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Meatballs are a key ingredient
Wedding soup, or Italian wedding soup, is a staple in many Italian restaurants and diners across the United States. The soup is especially popular in Pittsburgh, where it is a common menu item in many Italian and family restaurants.
The name "wedding soup" is derived from a mistranslation of the Italian phrase "minestra maritata", which translates to "married soup" or "wedded broths", referring to the marriage of flavours between meat and vegetables in the soup. The dish is not typically served at wedding celebrations, despite its name.
The combination of meatballs, pasta, and greens creates a perfect match of flavours and textures in this popular regional recipe. The meat in the meatballs, along with the chicken broth, forms the marriage of flavours that gives the soup its name. The meatballs are an essential part of the dish, providing a source of protein and adding heartiness and substance to the soup.
While the tiny meatballs are more commonly associated with the American version of the soup, Italian recipes also include meatballs, ranging in size from small, grape-sized meatballs to larger ones as big as golf balls. The variation in meatball size and the inclusion of meatballs in the soup showcase the flexibility and adaptability of the recipe, allowing cooks to utilise available ingredients and prevent waste.
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It's a Pittsburgh favourite
Wedding soup, or Italian wedding soup, is a dish that is especially popular in Pittsburgh. It is a staple in many Italian and family restaurants across the city and is considered a classic Pittsburgh dish.
The name "wedding soup" is derived from a mistranslation of the Italian phrase "minestra maritata", which translates to "wedded broths" or "married soup", referring to the marriage of flavours and ingredients in the soup rather than a wedding celebration. The soup typically consists of meatballs, pasta, and greens in a chicken broth, with variations including the addition of chicken or the use of different types of pasta and greens.
While it may be known as a Pittsburgh favourite, Italian wedding soup is enjoyed across the United States, especially in regions with a significant Italian population, such as western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. It is available in canned form from brands like Campbell's and Progresso, and can be found on the menus of Italian restaurants in cities like Chicago and Milwaukee.
The popularity of Italian wedding soup in Pittsburgh can be attributed to the city's culinary culture and the influence of Italian cuisine. The dish is a testament to the fusion of flavours and traditions that characterise Pittsburgh's food scene. Whether it's the hearty meatballs, the perfect combination of pasta and greens, or the comforting warmth of the chicken broth, Italian wedding soup has become a beloved staple for many in the city.
For those who haven't had the pleasure of trying this Pittsburgh favourite, the soup is not only a delight for the taste buds but also a cultural experience, showcasing the beauty of culinary mistranslations and the creativity that arises from them. So, if you ever find yourself in the Steel City, be sure to indulge in a bowl of their famous Italian wedding soup—it's sure to be a flavourful marriage you won't soon forget!
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It's inspired by a traditional southern Italian soup
Wedding soup, or Italian wedding soup, is a dish inspired by a traditional southern Italian soup called minestra maritata, which translates to "married soup" or "wedded broths". It refers to the marriage of flavours from the combination of meat and vegetables in the broth. The soup is a classic example of cucina povera, or "poor kitchen", with the main ingredients varying by region. Typically, the soup includes undesirable or tough-to-cook vegetables and meat scraps.
The Italian version of the soup includes chunks of sausage, pork ribs, pork skin, salami, or even intestine, along with meatballs. The meatballs are sometimes replaced with chunks of chicken, and the soup is often topped with pecorino cheese and breadcrumbs and then baked, resulting in a pie-like dish. In Naples, the soup is served at the celebration of Santo Stefano just after Christmas and includes beef and seven different types of greens, representing the seven Catholic sacraments.
In America, Italian wedding soup is a staple in many Italian restaurants and diners, especially in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. The American version often includes small meatballs, bitter greens like escarole or spinach, and pea-sized pasta. The Pittsburgh variation includes tender meatballs, pasta, and greens like kale, Swiss chard, or cabbage, along with extra Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding soup is an Italian soup that is popular in Pittsburgh. It is also known as Italian wedding soup.
Wedding soup consists of meatballs, pasta, and greens. The meatballs are made of meatloaf mix or ground beef, and the greens are usually spinach, escarole, or kale.
The name "wedding soup" comes from a mistranslation of the Italian phrase "minestra maritata," which means "married soup" or "wedded broths." It refers to the marriage of flavors in the soup, particularly the combination of meat and vegetables.
No, despite its name, wedding soup is not typically served at Italian weddings. It is a traditional southern Italian soup that is often served during the winter holidays.
Yes, wedding soup is available in other parts of the United States, especially in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. It can be found in some Italian restaurants and diners across the country.
