1½cups (10 ounces)(280grams)pastinaof your choice such as stelline, puntine, risoni, or other
6cups(1½liters)vegetable broth
1small(1small)onion
1(1)carrot
1rib(1rib)celery
1small(1small)potatopeeled
2tablespoons(2tablespoons)tomato paste
2(2)bay leaves
1teaspoon(1teaspoon)saltor more to taste
4tablespoonsparmesan cheesegrated + black pepper to taste
4drizzles(4)extra virgin olive oilor 4 knobs of butter for serving
Chop 1 small onion, 1 carrot, 1 rib celery, and 1 small potato into small chunks and add them to a medium-sized pot with 6 cups vegetable broth.Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon saltCover with a lid and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender.
Discard the bay leaves, fish out the vegetables and put them in a blender with 1 cup of cold water.Blend until smooth and set aside.
Add 1½ cups (10 ounces) pastina to the broth and cook it as per package instructions, minus one minute.When cooked stir in the blended vegetables then taste and adjust for salt and consistency.
When the pastina is fully cooked, serve immediately in a wide-rimmed pasta plate or soup bowl with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and freshly cracked black pepper.