Zuppa di Orzo e Fagioli Borlotti del Friuli
Friuli-Venezia Giulia — Carnia e Udine
Friuli's working soup — pearl barley and dried borlotti beans slow-cooked with a soffritto of sedano rapa (celeriac), carrot, onion, smoked prosciutto rind, and herbs until reaching a porridge-like consistency. The celeriac (not ordinary celery) is Friuli's distinguishing element — its root-vegetable earthiness and slight sweetness integrates with the barley and bean broth in a way celery cannot replicate. Finished with raw olive oil or Friulano lard.