Maccu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maccu (also known as maccu di fave[1] and sometimes referred to as macco[2]) is a Sicilian soup with a dense texture and also a foodstuff that is prepared with dried and crushed fava beans (broad beans) and wild fennel as primary ingredients.[3][4] Several dishes exist using maccu as an ingredient, such as bruschetta al maccù and maccu di San Giuseppe, the latter of which may be served on Saint Joseph's Day in Sicily.
Maccu is a peasant food[1] and staple food that dates back to ancient history.[3][5][6] The ancient Roman people may have invented or introduced the foodstuff, which was created from crushed fava beans.[6]
The name came from the Latin verbs "maccare" that means to crush. The beans are crushed slightly during cooking. Although maccu's availability in contemporary times in Sicily is generally rare,[6] it is still occasionally served in restaurants and hosterias there.[3]
Ingredients and preparation
Primary ingredients include fava beans, fennel seeds and sprigs, olive oil, salt and pepper.[3] Additional ingredients may include tomato, onion and pasta.[3] The soup is sometimes cooled until it solidifies, then cut into strips, breaded in flour and fried in olive oil.[3] Some preparations of maccu may use fava beans that have been puréed.[7]
