A Sicilian Tradition in Every Bowl
In Sicily, nothing goes to waste — especially not the heads of the shrimp. Nonna shows us how to turn them into the base of a flavorful broth. The broth is then enriched with fresh vegetables and just the right amount of chili pepper for a little kick.
And of course, no Sicilian soup is complete without Papa Vince Pastina (Orzo Pasta from Italy) — tiny little grains of pasta that make each spoonful hearty and comforting.
Watch Nonna Maria preparing this recipe, click here.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh shrimp (with heads)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1–2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 chili pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1 large tomato, diced
- Fresh parsley
- Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Papa Vince Pastina (or Orzo)
- Papa Vince Sea salt, to taste
Instructions
Make the Shrimp Broth
Clean the shrimp, separating the heads.
In a pot, place the shrimp heads with parsley and water. Bring to a gentle boil to extract all the flavor.
Once ready, strain the broth through a colander and set aside.
Prepare the Vegetable Base
In a pan, drizzle Papa Vince EVOO.
Add diced onions, celery, carrots, and chili pepper. Sauté with a pinch of salt until softened.
Add the diced tomato and cook until tender.
Slowly pour in some of the shrimp broth, let it simmer, and then add the rest of the broth.
Cook the Shrimp & Pastina
In a separate pan, cook the shrimp until just pink. Add them into the simmering broth.
Meanwhile, cook Papa Vince Pastina in a separate pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain.
Serve with Love
Ladle the shrimp and vegetable broth into bowls. Add a generous spoonful of pastina, stir gently, and serve hot.
Nonna’s Tip 👵💡
“Always cook the pastina separately. This way, the soup stays clear and the pasta stays perfect. Then when you serve, everyone gets the right balance of broth, shrimp, and pastina.”
Why We Love This Recipe
It’s comforting — the kind of soup that makes you feel cared for.
It’s authentic — rooted in Sicilian tradition where nothing is wasted.
It’s delicious — every spoonful is rich with flavor from Papa Vince EVOO and Pastina.
This Shrimp Soup with Pastina is one of those recipes that makes you feel like you’re sitting at Nonna’s table in Sicily — surrounded by family, laughter, and the simple joy of good food.
