Green Minestrone

Name: Green Minestrone
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan; 4 slices pancetta or 1/4 pound thick cut prosciutto, chopped; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 ribs celery, chopped; 2 large cloves garlic, crushed; 1 medium zucchini, diced; 1 bay leaf, fresh or dried; 1 can white beans, cannellini; 1 can garbanzo beans, ceci; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 8 cups chicken broth or stock; 1 cup ditalini pasta or mini penne pasta; 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces; 10 ounces triple washed spinach, stems removed and coarsely chopped, or any other dark greens; 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, plus extra to pass at the table; 12 to 16 leaves fresh basil, torn or shredded or 1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

16 ingredients

11 steps

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
4 slices pancetta or 1/4 pound thick cut prosciutto, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
1 can white beans, cannellini
1 can garbanzo beans, ceci
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 cups chicken broth or stock
1 cup ditalini pasta or mini penne pasta
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
10 ounces triple washed spinach, stems removed and coarsely chopped, or any other dark greens
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, plus extra to pass at the table
12 to 16 leaves fresh basil, torn or shredded or 1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

Directions

1

Heat a soup pot over medium high heat.
2

Add oil and pancetta or prosciutto.
3

Saute 2 minutes and add onions, celery, garlic, zucchini and bay to the pot.
4

Season vegetables with salt and pepper, to your taste.
5

Saute vegetables 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
6

Add white beans, garbanzo beans and chicken broth to the pot.
7

Cover soup and bring to a boil.
8

Add pasta and green beans to the soup and cook 8 minutes, or until pasta is just tender.
9

Stir in spinach to wilt, 1 minute.
10

Stir in grated cheese and ladle soup into bowls.
11

Top soup with torn or shredded basil or chopped parsley.