Maccu di San Giuseppe Siciliano di Fave
Sicily (widespread, especially Palermo and Agrigento areas)
Maccu is a purée of dried, split fava beans cooked until dissolved — the ancient Sicilian dish offered to St. Joseph on 19 March and eaten by the poor during periods of scarcity. In its most elemental form: dried fava beans (skin on or peeled), simmered in water with wild fennel fronds and a little olive oil until they dissolve into a thick, earthy purée. Served with a drizzle of olive oil and sometimes pasta broken into the pot. The maccu di San Giuseppe is also associated with the tradition of the Tavola di San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph's table) where food is shared publicly with the poor.