Maccu
Maccu, (also known as maccu di fave,[1][2] and sometimes referred to as macco[3]), is a Sicilian soup and also a foodstuff that is prepared with dried and crushed fava beans (also known as broad beans) and fennel as primary ingredients.[4][5] It dates back to ancient history. The dish is now rare to in Sicily, but it occasionally appears on restaurant menus there. Several dishes exist using maccu as a foodstuff, such as Bruschetta al maccú and Maccu di San Giuseppe, the latter of which may be served on Saint Joseph's Day in Sicily.
Contents
History
Maccu is a peasant food[2] and staple food that dates back to ancient history.[4][6][7] The Roman people may have invented or introduced the foodstuff, which was created from crushed fava beans.[1][7] The food was also "known from the Greek period".[1]
Ingredients and preparation
Primary ingredients include fava beans, fennel seeds and sprigs, olive oil, salt and pepper.[4] Additional ingredients may include tomato, onion and pasta.[4] The soup is sometimes cooled until it solidifies, then cut into strips, breaded in flour and fried in olive oil.[4] Some preparations of maccu may use fava beans that have been puréed.[8]
In contemporary times
Although maccu's availability in contemporary times in Sicily is generally rare,[7] it is still occasionally served in restaurants there.[4]
Dishes that use maccu
Bruschetta al maccú is a simple dish prepared with bruschetta and maccu that may be served as an appetizer or lunch dish.[6]
Maccu di San Giuseppe (English: maccu of St. Joseph) is a traditional Sicilian dish that consists of various ingredients and maccu.[9] The dish may be prepared on Saint Joseph's Day in Sicily, to clear out pantries and allow room for the spring's new crops of vegetables.[9] In Sicily, St. Joseph is regarded by many as their patron saint, and in many Italian-American communities, thanks are given to St. Joseph ("San Giuseppe" in Italian) for preventing a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. According to legend, there was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if he answered their prayers, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. The rain did come, and the people of Sicily prepared a large banquet for their patron saint. The fava bean was the crop which saved the population from starvation and is a traditional part of St. Joseph's Day altars and traditions. Giving food to the needy is a St. Joseph's Day custom.
Rigatoncini con maccu di fave is a Sicilian dish prepared with rigatoncini pasta (a smaller version of rigatoni) and fava bean paste.[10]
See also
References
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