Garden Fresh Minestrone

Garden Fresh Minestrone

A little Italy right in your garden - or from our fields!

Recipe from lifeways

What you need

• 3 medium leeks or 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 6 cups prepared vegetables (potatoes, carrots, celery, zuccini, peas, green beans)
• 1 pound can of kidney beans
• 1/2 teaspoon each of basil, oregano, rosemary
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup macraroni
• 2 cups chopped spinach or cabbage or chard
• Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish

What you do

1. Trim root ends and outer leabes from leeks, slit each leek lengthwise, rinse between layers and thinly slice. Cook leeks and garlic in oil for 5 minutes.
2. Add stock, beans and there liquid, veggies and spices: bring to a simmer. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 30 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato paste and macroni, and simmer untial macroni is tender. Add spinach and cook just untial it wilts.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parmesan at the table.