Peasant dishes worthy of kings

The Providence Journal is carrying an article by Food Editor Gail Ciampa titled "Chef's Secret: Italian comfort food in Johnston." The subject is a stellar pasta e fagioli soup served at Luigi’s Restaurant in Johnston, Rhode Island. The recipe is linked at the end of the article, and according to Executive Chef Ralph P. Battista, a member of the family that owns the restaurant, the dish originates with his beloved grandmother, Anna "Little Nona" Mignanelli. The name alone should make you wish to break out the olive oil, garlic, and onion, but Battista provides more incentive to try this particularly tasty pasta:

"[It's] the original Italian comfort food and one of the more famous of Italy’s many peasant dishes that are also worthy of kings. There are as many versions of this dish as there are regions in Italy and each is a little different based upon the availability of ingredients or which cut of pasta is preferred."