Kusksu
{{Short description|Maltese bean soup}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Kusksu
| image = Traditional Maltese Kusksu (Fava Bean Soup).jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = A typical serving of kusksu
| alternate_name = Kusksu bil-ful
| country = Malta
| region =
| creator =
| course =
| type = Soup
| served =
| main_ingredient = Kusksu, broad beans, ġbejniet
| variations =
| calories =
| other =
}}
Kusksu{{Need-IPA}} is a traditional Maltese soup made primarily from seasonal broad beans, small pasta beads, and fresh ġbejniet. Although similar in shape, the small pasta beads, known locally as kusksu, look like couscous,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P7fXDwAAQBAJ&q=malta+couscous&pg=PA125|title = Malta|isbn = 9781502647498|last1 = Nevins|first1 = Debbie|last2 = Sheehan|first2 = Sean|last3 = Yong|first3 = Jui Lin|date = 15 July 2019| publisher=Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC }} but this one tends to be lighter and fluffier in texture. In contrast, kusksu, which gives the soup its name, is "miniature pasta" which is thick and ideal for simmering.{{cite book |last=Albala |first=K. |date=2011 |title=Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia, Volume 2 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0313376269}} Once cooked, the short-cut pasta beads give the soup its distinctive creamy and warm texture, making it an ideal dish to serve during cold weather.
Origin
Given its close resemblance to couscous, it is likely that kusksu originated during Malta's Arab occupation.{{cite journal |last1=Zammit, C. as cited in Borg |first1=V. P. |title=Dishes with a Maltese touch |journal=Times of Malta |date=June 20, 1998 |issue=Weekender}} However, documentary evidence relating to this period is scarce.{{cite web |url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/53550/shed_light_on_arab_period_leading_academic_pleads#.XMiZG-gzaUk |title='Shed light on Arab period' leading academic pleads |publisher=MaltaToday |access-date=April 30, 2019 }} A reliable source dating back to the 18th century makes reference to peppercorn-like shaped pasta,{{cite book |last1=Vassalli |first1=M. A. |title=Ktŷb yl klŷm Mâlti 'mfysser byl-Latǐn u byt-Taljân sive Liber dictionum melitensium |date=1796 |publisher=Antonio Fulgoni |location=Rome |page=387}} suggesting that kusksu pasta was a staple in the Maltese diet.
Ingredients
File:Kusksu - The Main Ingredients.jpg
The primary ingredient used in kusksu is the broad bean, known locally as ful. Broad beans are well-adapted to the Maltese climate and can become invasive if left uncontrolled.{{cite web |url=http://www.maltawildplants.com/FABC/Vicia_faba.php |title=Vicia faba (Broad Bean) |publisher=MaltaWildPlants.com |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} In Malta, broad beans are typically sown in December and harvested during early spring.{{cite web |url=https://www.guidememalta.com/en/a-tribute-to-maltese-ful-gululu-celebrates-the-broad-bean-with-4-stunning-dishes-this-april |title=A tribute to Maltese ful! Gululu celebrates the broad bean with 4 stunning dishes this April |publisher=GuideMeMalta.com |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} Their cultivation requires little or no care, and most Maltese farmers do not irrigate their crop.{{cite web |url=https://nso.gov.mt/en/publicatons/Publications_by_Unit/Documents/B3_Environment_Energy_Transport_Agriculture_Statistics/Plant_Protection_Products_2005.pdf |title=Plant Protection Products Usage On Crops In Malta 2005 |website=www.nso.gov.mt/en/ |publisher=National Statistics Office, Malta |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} In 2016, Malta's National Statistics Office reported that 595 tonnes of broad beans were sold through official markets,{{cite book |title=Agriculture and Fisheries 2014 |publisher=National Statistics Office |location=Valletta |isbn=978-99957-29-50-9 |page=60 |url=https://nso.gov.mt/en/publicatons/Publications_by_Unit/Documents/B3_Environment_Energy_Transport_Agriculture_Statistics/Agriculture_and_Fisheries_2014.pdf |access-date=29 April 2019}} a figure that puts into perspective why some locals refer to the broad bean as Malta's "iconic",{{cite web |url=https://lovinmalta.com/food/april-ful-gululu-launches-a-spring-menu-celebrating-maltas-iconic-bean |title=April Ful! Gululu Launches A Spring Menu Celebrating Malta's Iconic Bean |date=4 April 2019 |publisher=Lovin Malta |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} or "favourite"{{cite web |url=https://www.arkadia.com.mt/maltas-favourite-bean-the-fava-bean/ |title=Malta's Favourite Bean – The Fava Bean |publisher=Arkadia |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} bean.
The small pasta beads, known as kusksu, are another key ingredient. Apart from giving the soup its name, the pasta, which is "a little bigger than a coriander",{{cite web |url=http://tisjir.com/recipes/kusksu-with-broad-beans/ |title=Kusksu with Broad Beans – Kusksu bil-ful |publisher=Tisjir.com |access-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501083746/http://tisjir.com/recipes/kusksu-with-broad-beans/ |url-status=dead }} adds "a fabulous texture that is like no other".{{cite web |url=http://felicekitchen.blogspot.com/2010/04/ |title=Felice in the Kitchen: Guest Blogger |publisher=www.felicekitchen.blogspot.com |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} The kusksu pasta, which is "not to be confused with couscous",{{cite web |url=https://www.visitgozo.com/blog/cooking-perfect-kusksu/ |title=Cooking the perfect Kusksu! |date=21 April 2017 |publisher=Visit Gozo |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} is widely available in Malta, however, this key ingredient may be hard to source in international markets. While alternatives do exist, these may not always yield the best results.
Other ingredients that are typically found in kusksu include the fresh Maltese ġbejna, usually added just before serving;{{cite web |url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/lifestyle/food/51662/watch_maltese_kusksu#.XMcCcGgzaUl |title=Maltese kusksu |publisher=MaltaToday |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} generous amounts of onions and garlic fried in olive oil or butter; bay leaves; tomato paste; eggs which are typically poached in the soup itself, rather than boiled separately;{{cite web |url=https://www.meikepeters.com/meet-in-your-kitchen-alexs-kusksu-soup-with-beans-goat-cheese-eggs/ |title=Meet in your kitchen - Alex's Kusksu Soup with Beans, Goat Cheese & Eggs |date=9 October 2015 |publisher=www.meikepeters.com |access-date=April 29, 2019 }}{{cite web |url=http://thyme-out.blogspot.com/2013/11/kusksu.html |title=Kusksu |date=25 November 2013 |publisher=www.thyme-out.blogspot.com |access-date=April 29, 2019 }} water or vegetable stock; salt and pepper for seasoning, and parsley for garnishing.
Variations
Multiple versions of this popular Maltese dish exist. Some have included fish,{{cite book |title=Tisjir mill-Qalb 2014 |publisher=The Malta Community Chest Fund |isbn=978-99957-0-750-7 |page=112 }} while others have introduced bacon, cabbage, and pumpkin to their kusksu recipe.{{cite book |title=Tisjir mill-Qalb 2018 |year=2018 |publisher=The Malta Community Chest Fund |isbn=978-99957-1-381-2 |page=62 }} However, the more "authentic", or perhaps "original" versions of the dish, kusksu bil-ful (kusksu with broad beans),{{cite book |title=The Way We Ate - Memories of Maltese Meals |date=May 2011 |publisher=Midsea Books |isbn=978-99932-7-326-4 |page=170 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mycookingformula.com/portfolio-item/kusksu-broad-beans-soup/ |title=Kusksu & Broad Beans Soup |publisher=www.mycookingformula.com/ |access-date=April 30, 2019 }}{{cite book |title=Taste of Malta |year=2014 |publisher=BDL Publishing |isbn=978-99957-46-28-5 |page=44 }} tend to feature fewer and simpler ingredients that are in season.{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120226/opinion/The-fun-of-faking-authenticity-.408516 |title=The fun of faking 'authenticity' |last=Falzon |first=Mark-Anthony |date=26 February 2012 |publisher=Times of Malta |access-date=April 30, 2019 }} In 2002, MaltaPost issued a series of stamps to celebrate Maltese cuisine and the more traditional version of the dish, kusksu bil-ful, was included.{{cite web |url=https://www.maltaphilately.com/en/products/product/s0205l007?returnurl=%2fen%2fproducts%2fproduct%2fpbfm0205%3freturnurl%3d%252fen%252fproducts%252fproduct%252fpfds0205%253freturnurl%253d%25252fen%25252fproducts%25252fproduct%25252fpmts0205%25253freturnurl%25253d%2525252fen%2525252fproducts%2525252fproduct%2525252fpsfs0205%2525253freturnurl%2525253d%252525252fen%252525252fissues%252525252fissue%252525252fi02006%252525253freturnurl%252525253d%25252525252fen%25252525252fproducts%25252525252fproduct%25252525252fpmnt0205%25252525253freturnurl%25252525253d%2525252525252fen%2525252525252fproducts%2525252525252fproduct%2525252525252fs0205l027%2525252525253freturnurl%2525252525253d%252525252525252fen%252525252525252fproducts%252525252525252fpage8%252525252525252fstmps%252525252525253fpage%252525252525253d36%2525252525252526mode%252525252525253dlist |title=Maltese Cuisine 2002 - 7c Kusksu bil-Ful |publisher=MaltaPost |access-date=April 30, 2019 }}
See also
References
{{Mediterranean cuisine}}
{{European topic|| cuisine}}