Store #9 ~ The half bean (Maria Assunta)

"My mother used to tell me that during the War, to save money and since there was not much to eat, we used to eat half a bean. They soaked the beans in water so they would swell and become soft. The beans would then be cut in two: the half with the germ was set aside and then planted to grow other beans. The other half, we ate it. The peel would be removed and the bean cooked. She would make ‘’maccu’’ soup (purée of beans).... we sometimes ate the maccu soup with a piece of bread, when there was some.
My son Paolo didn't like to eat soup and maccu. And I would tell him: '' Either you eat this soup, or I'll throw you out the window! (Italian saying)".
~ Maria Assunta