Minestrone

Minestrone is a hearty and comforting Italian vegetable soup that’s packed with flavor. Here’s a delicious recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 cup green beans, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes, chopped)
• 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or farfalle)
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup spinach or kale, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
2. Add Garlic and Zucchini: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the zucchini and green beans. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Season: Add the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. Add Beans and Pasta: Stir in the cannellini beans and pasta. Simmer for about 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
6. Finish the Soup: Add the chopped spinach (or kale) and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the greens are wilted.
7. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh parsley or basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if desired.

Enjoy your delicious, comforting bowl of minestrone! It’s perfect for a chilly day and even better the next day as leftovers.