Minestrone Soup
By David Bonom and Marge Perry. A soul-satisfying , health-nurturing, thick and chunky vegetable stew that is sure to cure whatever ails you. To keep it strictly vegetarian, leave out the pancetta.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 oz pancetta, chopped
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cup diced zucchini
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced yellow squash
- 4 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 3 cup chopped kale
- ½ cup uncooked ditalini pasta
- 1 15- can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
- Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the onion, garlic, basil, and oregano and cook until somewhat softened, 2-3 minutes. Add the zucchini, carrots, and yellow squash; cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Pour in the broth and tomato paste, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium, stir in the kale and pasta, return to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the pasta is tender, about 9-10 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook until they are heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the salt and pepper. Divide among 6 bowls and top each with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.