Fall season is here, and you know what that means – It’s soup season! One of the most popular and well-known types of soup is a good traditional Italian Wedding Soup. Although it is a well-known soup, not many know the origin story of this warm delight and why it is called “Wedding Soup.”
Why Do They Call It Wedding Soup?
What is in Italian Wedding Soup?
A typical wedding soup will consist of some type of green vegetable and meat in a delicious broth. Some common varieties of vegetables in Wedding Soup are spinach, kale, endive, escarole, or cabbage. The meat is most often tender meatballs, but some choose to substitute sausage. This soup is great to incorporate leftovers and stretch a little into a lot. You can make your own broth, or opt for store-bought chicken broth. It is also typical to find some type of pasta or orzo in the soup. It truly is a melody or a marriage of all of the flavors!
The Tradition Behind This Traditional Soup
The name of this soup actually comes from the Italian phrase “minestra maritata” which directly translates to ‘married soup’. So, what does that mean? Well, believe it or not – this soup has nothing to do with weddings! The marriage isn’t between two people, but the marriage of flavors in the soup!
Although the origin of this delicious soup had nothing to do with weddings or marriage, it has grown into the name quite well. Some believe the soup to be good luck for the newlyweds, and others have added this as a must-have on their wedding menu. Some even have rumored it to be an aphrodisiac to set the mood for the wedding night! With that being said, these are all tales and fallacies that have come over time.
Should I Eat Wedding Soup at My Wedding?
Although the name suggests it is a must-have for your wedding menu, it is not commonly served at weddings. Italian wedding soup is most often eaten during the winter time and may be seen at Easter and Christmas celebrations. It is much more common to see a menu that may feature chicken marsala and mashed potatoes with an Italian salad.
Looking for a catering company in St. Louis for your wedding day? Andre’s Banquet & Catering offers a wide variety of entrée’s and sides that will delight you and your guests on your big day!
Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO
At Andre’s, we are a full-service catering company. We provide the meal, 4-hour open bar, china dinnerware, linen tablecloths, chair covers, the personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop-shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre’s coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless!
Contact us today for any questions or reservations.