page_title: Kusksu
section_title: Ingredients
hierarchical_section_title: Kusksu / Ingredients
caption_attribution_description: English: Kusksu Pasta Beads and a Two Euro Coin
context_page_description: Kusksu is a traditional Maltese soup made primarily from seasonal broad beans, small pasta beads, and fresh ġbejniet. Although similar in shape, the small pasta beads, known locally as kusksu, are often confused with couscous, which tends to be lighter and fluffier in texture. In contrast, kusksu, which gives the soup its name, is "miniature pasta" which is thick and ideal for simmering. Once cooked, the short-cut pasta beads give the soup its distinctive creamy and warm texture, making it an ideal dish to serve during cold weather.
context_section_description: The primary ingredient used in kusksu is the broad bean, known locally as ful. Broad beans are well-adapted to the Maltese climate and can become invasive if left uncontrolled. In Malta, broad beans are typically sown in December and harvested during early spring. Their cultivation requires little or no care, and most Maltese farmers do not irrigate their crop. In 2016, Malta's National Statistics Office reported that 595 tonnes of broad beans were sold through official markets, a figure that puts into perspective why some locals refer to the broad bean as Malta's "iconic", or "favourite" bean.
  The small pasta beads, known as kusksu, are another key ingredient. Apart from giving the soup its name, the pasta, which is "a little bigger than a coriander", adds "a fabulous texture that is like no other". The kusksu pasta, which is "not to be confused with couscous", is widely available in Malta, however, this key ingredient may be hard to source in international markets. While alternatives do exist, these may not always yield the best results. 
  Other ingredients that are typically found in kusksu include the fresh Maltese ġbejna, usually added just before serving; generous amounts of onions and garlic fried in olive oil or butter; bay leaves; tomato paste; eggs which are typically  poached in the soup itself, rather than boiled separately; water or vegetable stock; salt and pepper for seasoning, and parsley for garnishing.
caption: Kusksu pasta beads and a €2 coin
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