Chickpeas - an Italian favorite

We had a chickpea soup for lunch one day in Parrano. Chickpeas appear to be a standard favorite in Italian cuisine - they are easily found in the grocery stores here. To cook this, Giovanna soaked and then pressure-cooked dry chickpeas. The pasta was cooked in the chickpea water (the water has added flavor from the chickpeas) and then added salt. A very neat dish!

Also in the background is a red cabbage salad and to the right a bottle of balsamic vinegar, in squeeze bottle form! Balsamic vinegar is commonly sold here as a liquid but also thick syrup to put on salads, desserts, cheese, etc.