pork ribs, cut into small pieces (I add the meat so the fat gives the rice more flavor and richness) • large handful flat green beans, ends trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces • red bell pepper • chickpeas (about 1 1/4 cups), soaked for 12 hours and boiled for about 30 minutes. Reserve the cooking water to add to the rice later • fresh spinach, chopped • green garlic stalks (or substitute 3 scallions) • fresh fava beans • ripe tomatoes, grated, and 2 garlic cloves, also grated. If you have a little parsley, add that too • eggplant • artichokes, trimmed of tough outer leaves, cut into wedges, then halved to get to the tender heart • sweet paprika • food coloring and saffron threads •
