MINESTRONE SOUP
(Minestra di Fagiolini Verdi)
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion (or shallot)
3/4 cup chopped carrot
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds,
1 Yukon gold potato, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
2 cups sliced cabbage
1 zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
2 medium fresh ripe tomatoes, cored, peeled, chopped
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2.5 cups of Romano beans
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (upick)
Salt and black pepper
Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Heat oil in a 4 to 5-quart thick-bottomed pot on medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more.
2 Add the bay leaf, thyme, fennel seeds. Add the potato, beans, cabbage, zucchini, and tomatoes. Add the stock.
3 Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and cooked through.
4 Add the beans and parsley to the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
Serve with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
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