Italian Wedding Soup Recipe with Kale Couscous (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for escarole in Italian Wedding Soup? ›

Fresh spinach: If you're not a fan of bitter greens, substitute bunched or baby spinach for the traditional escarole or kale in Italian wedding soup. Add the spinach later in the cooking process, as it takes only a few minutes to cook. Thawed and chopped frozen spinach works in a pinch, too.

The term wedding soup comes from a mistranslation of the Italian language phrase minestra maritata ('married soup'). Minestra maritata more directly translates to 'wedded broths'. The marriage of its meats and veggies inside of its broth is the only matrimony relevant in this context.

They are very hearty, perfect for a cozy soup or stew. If you are unable to pearl couscous, it can be substituted with a small pasta such as orzo or ditalini.

Escarole is leafier than kale, and is usually sold in bunches that look a lot like a head of lettuce, with short, wide, wavy-edged leaves. The color and texture of the leaves varies—those on the outside are darker-green and a bit tougher, while the interior leaves are pale-yellow and more tender.

Kale has a crisp and crunchy texture and a refreshing flavor. In contrast, escarole is a bit more bitter and has a slightly tougher texture. To substitute one cup of escarole, use one cup of kale leaves (any variety, but be sure to remove the stems from the leaves).

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup known worldwide as one of the best Italian soups. It's got a flavorful broth and a variety of slow-cooked vegetables like potatoes, peas, and carrots. Adding Italian sausage gives it a kick of flavor and a shot of protein, so it's a complete meal all by itself.

A mistranslation of minestra maritata, a classic Neapolitan soup whose name means “married soup”, the marriage in question doesn't involve a human couple but the “marriage” of various meats and greens.

Its original name in Italian is minestra maritata and it was translated to “wedding soup”, when in fact, a more appropriate translation would be “married soup”—as in green vegetables (minestra) blend very well (maritata) with meat.

Savory and rustic, Italian wedding soup is certainly lovable. Yet, regardless of what the name implies, it's not traditionally served at Italian weddings (despite the rumor that it's an aphrodisiac for newlyweds). Many people eat it during the winter or early springtime, but wedding season is irrelevant here.

Not at all. Today's Italians have never heard of it. The soup originated in Spain as a “marriage” of hearty greens and several kinds of meats. It was brought to Naples after the Spaniards took over rule of Naples in 1501, where it was called minestra maritata, or married soup.

Do Italians serve Italian wedding soup at weddings? ›

Italian Wedding Soup ✨🥂 Yes, I know this isn't actually served at weddings in Italy, BUT it does indeed originate there aka Minest...

Compared to couscous, quinoa has stronger anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. With 7 percent fewer calories per 100 grams of cooked couscous than quinoa, it is healthier for weight loss. Every 100 grams of cooked quinoa has 120 calories. Every 100 grams of cooked couscous has 112 calories.

Couscous is packed with nutrients and has better selenium per serving than white rice when it comes to selenium and other elements. It is light and filling, making it a good choice for busy professionals, families and people who don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to prepare a healthy, delicious meal.

Pearl couscous is technically a larger version of Moroccan couscous, though it's sometimes erroneously used synonymously with Israeli couscous. Roughly the size of a pea, pearl couscous is even larger than Israeli couscous.

Escarole is a member of the endive family and has a mildly bitter flavor but hearty texture. It looks a bit like green leaf lettuce but with sturdier leaves. Sautéing tempers its bitterness a bit. If you can't find escarole, substitute curly endive or kale.

What can you swap in for it, if need be? Chicory of endives are your best bet, but if those aren't easily accessible—they're not always! —spinach and arugula are good bitter substitutes. Truly any dark leafy green'll do.

While escarole looks a lot like butterhead lettuce, you can tell them apart because escarole has wide, green leaves with slightly jagged, crumpled edges that cluster into a rosette — whereas the broad leaves of lettuce are wavy and smooth ( 1 , 2). Unlike lettuce, escarole offers a pleasant bitterness and versatility.

Escarole tastes bitter compared to spinach. Escarole is commonly used in Italian cuisines and when you grill or sauté it, it tastes better. Escarole provides a variety of minerals and vitamins, including vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and fiber.