Zuppa de mele e fagioli

Zuppa di mele e fagioli is a traditional soup originating from Trentino-Alto Adige. It's usually made with a combination of cannellini beans, firm cooking apples (Golden Delicious should be fine), cinnamon, butter, cloves, bay leaves, salt, and lemon zest. The beans are boiled with bay leaves until fully cooked but not mushy. The apple slices are cooked in butter with the cloves, and they're then mixed with the beans and all the other ingredients in water. The soup is simmered until the apples become soft. Before serving, a bit of butter is stirred in the soup. This soup is unusual for its region because it's vegetarian and light, and Trentino-Alto Adige is renowned for the heartiness of its soups.