Aunt Doras Pasta and Bean Soup

This soup is served all over Italy but it varies from region to region - almost from family to family. The main differences between the Northern and Southern versions are that in the South cannellini beans are used instead of borlotti and the beans are not crushed to thicken the soup. Also, Southern Italians make it with olive oil rather than other fats, which means the soup can be eaten cold, as is customary during summer. This recipe takes me back to wartime, when I used to spend my holid