Soups & Stews (Minestra)

Although nearly always overshadowed by pasta as a starter in restaurants, soups are classic Italian fare, whether they are called minestra (which often includes pasta or rice) or zuppa (which doesn't). Invalids are fed the Italian equivalent of chicken soup—pastina in brodo, while other soups, such as acquacotta are classics of cucina povera. On the gourmet end of things are sublime seafood stews, including Livorno's famous cacciucco.