Soups · Friuli Venezia Giulia
Jota Triestina Sauerkraut Soup Recipe
This Trieste sauerkraut soup combines borlotti beans and potatoes in a tangy, thick broth, with a quick stovetop method for a filling cold-weather meal.
By Lucia Moretti (pen name) · · Editorial policy
In Trieste, sauerkraut is known as capuzi garbi, and its sharp flavor gives jota its character. This meatless jota triestina soup recipe uses canned beans and mashed potato and beans to thicken the broth instead of a separate flour roux. For more hearty cooking from northern Italy, see Smacafam Sausage Cake Recipe and Trentino Potato Tortel Recipe.
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The recipe
Jota Triestina Sauerkraut Soup
Ingredients
for 4 servingsEquipment
- large pot or Dutch oven
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- wooden spoon or potato masher
- ladle
Method
Drain the sauerkraut and beans. Chop the onion and garlic, then cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. This even size helps the potatoes cook at the same pace.
Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until soft but not browned. Stir in the garlic.
Pour in the broth and add the potatoes and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
Stir in the sauerkraut, beans, and caraway seeds. Simmer for 10 minutes so the sharp sauerkraut flavor can mingle with the broth.
Press a few potatoes and beans against the side of the pot with a spoon or potato masher, then stir them back in. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the broth looks lightly thickened. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Where it goes wrong
| If you see | It’s because | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| The soup tastes too sharp. | Why The sauerkraut is especially tangy, or the broth has not had time to balance its flavor. | Fix Simmer for a few more minutes, then taste again before adding salt. Mashing more potato and beans also softens the sharpness. |
| The potatoes are still firm. | Why The cubes are larger than 1/2 inch, or the broth was not simmering steadily. | Fix Keep the pot at a gentle simmer until a fork slides easily into the potatoes. Add the sauerkraut only after the potatoes are tender, since its acidity can slow softening. |
Questions
Should you rinse sauerkraut for jota?
No, drain it but do not rinse it for this soup. The brine adds the tart flavor that balances the beans and potatoes.
Can you use cannellini beans in jota triestina?
Yes, canned cannellini beans are a practical substitute for borlotti beans. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the pot.
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