Pasta with chickpeas is a very filling starter or one pot dish, mainly made of chickpeas, vegetables and pasta. This dish is of peasant origin and is particularly suitable in winter, when its warmth can be fully appreciated (this, though, doesn't stop you from enjoying it during spring, summer or autumn!). The recipe can be altered according to personal tastes to create different versions of the same dish.

Ribollita is a famous Tuscan soup in the true peasant style, a hearty potage made of seasonal vegetables and stale bread. The most traditional ingredients for this soup are (black) kale, stale Tuscan bread, cannellini or borlotti beans and a good extra virgin olive oil. But, of course, since peasants would use whatever vegetable they had available, there are many versions of this recipe depending on location and family tradition.