Mamma Mia Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 1/4 lb pepperoni, rind removed and chopped
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 stalk celery, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 3 carrots, pared and diced into 1/4 inch cubes
• 2 medium zucchini, quartered and thickly sliced
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage or 1 cup green cabbage
• 1 (28 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes, with juice,chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups beef broth
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 (19 ounce) can white cannellini beans, drained (white kidney beans)
• granted parmesan cheese