Hearty Minestrone Soup

Autumn means cooler temperatures, the garden starting to wind down on production, and hearty meals to warm the tummy and the soul.  A hot bowl of soup is just the thing on a cool evening.  And with just a few items from the garden, you can quickly prepare a large pot of minestrone soup to feed the whole family.  And I'll show you how to make this soup with meat, or vegetarian.

You will need:
1 large, (or 2 medium) carrots, chopped
1 1/2 cups trimmed green beans, (fresh or canned)
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup red or green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup zucchini, chopped
1 teas. dried oregano
salt and pepper
1 teas. garlic powder
2 Tabs. olive oil
6 cups chicken broth
28 ounce can tomatoes
1 14 ounce can beans, (canneillini or kidney)
1 cup elbow pasta
Parmesan cheese

In a large pot, over medium heat, add the oil.
Add the chopped onions, celery, and pepper.  Cook until the onion is softened, (about 4 or 5 minutes).

Note: If you want a meat version of minestrone, now is the time to add ground meat, (hamburger, turkey, venison, your choice).

Make sure to season with salt and pepper well, (about 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper - to taste).

Once the onion is softened, add the chopped carrots, zucchini, and oregano.  Cook for another 5 minutes, (to start the carrots cooking).

Add the green beans.

Add tomatoes, I like to break up most of my tomatoes, as I add them to the soup.

Add chicken broth.  Make sure to taste, and if needed season again with salt and pepper.

Note: If you want a vegetarian version, you can use vegetable broth.

Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Add the pasta.

 Drain and rinse the beans and add to the soup.  Stir well.

Today I only had chickpeas, so I used them, (any bean will work).

Return the heat to medium, and cook for another 10 minutes, until the pasta is done.

And you have soup.

Top with a generous portion of grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

Tonight we are have minestrone soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, (on homemade rosemary and Parmesan bread).  YUMMY.

So for just a few ingredients and a little time, you can have a large pot of soup, and feed a crowd.

Enjoy !