South Tyrolean barley soup

South Tyrolean barley soup is a rustic, comforting dish, rich with pearl barley, cubes of smoked Speck, and mountain vegetables. The broth, full-bodied and aromatic, slowly binds the ingredients together, creating a texture that is both creamy and rustic. Each spoonful alternates the softness of legumes and barley with the savory character of Speck. It’s the kind of dish that warms both hands and stomach after a cold day in the mountains.