Zuppa di Fagioli

• ½ pound white beans
• 2½ pints water
• salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Soak beans overnight in cold water. Drain and put them into a stock-pot with 2½ pints cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer beans as slowly as possible for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are tender. Remove half the beans, blend them to a smooth purée in an electric blender – or press them through a fin