Vegetable Soup (Minestra Tal-Ħaxix)

With recipes passed from generation to generation, minestra has been around for as long as anyone can remember. Discussions take place between and within families about which vegetables should be used. Another point of contention is whether the soup should be mashed or kept chunky. I prefer the latter. Yes, minestra is similar to Italian minestrone, however minestra has its differences: pumpkin adds some sweetness, the vegetables are in large pieces (or mashed) and the common legume included is favetta (split fava beans). Maltese kusksu pasta is sometimes added. Despite the warm climate in Malta, this soup is enjoyed year round and a pot of it is often found in the fridge of Maltese homes.