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the ultimate hearty minestrone

the ultimate hearty minestrone

Healthy and delicious way to enjoy freshly prepared vegetables year round. Reduce the total time required by prepping the veggies as you go.

Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4 quarts
Author Rosemary Stelmach

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced (5 ounces / 1 cup)
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced (5 ounces / 1 cup)
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced (2 teaspoons)
  • 2 cups green cabbage, chopped (12 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 cups vegetable stock or broth (can also use chicken stock or broth)
  • 3 large plum tomatoes, cored & chopped (12 ounces)
  • 1 large russet potato, peeled & cut in 1/4" cubes (7 ounces / 1 1/2 cup)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed & drained
  • 1 medium zucchini, cut in 1/4" cubes (7 ounces / 1 1/2 cup)
  • 12 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed & cut in 1" pieces
  • 2 large carrots, cut in 1/4" pieces (9 ounces / 1 1/2 cup)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed & drained
  • 8 large basil leaves, cut in thin strips
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (1 1/2 ounce)

Instructions

  1. Melt butter and olive oil in dutch oven or stock pot of at least 5 1/2 quart capacity. Set heat to medium and add onion, celery, garlic and cabbage. Mix ingredients well; add salt and pepper. Saute' for about 10 minutes.

  2. Once vegetables are translucent, add vegetable stock along with the tomatoes, potato and chickpeas. Bring to a boil then lower heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove about 4 cups of mixture (mostly solids) to a heatproof container. Blend until smooth with an immersion blender. Return blended ingredients to pot to incorporate with soup. Alternatively, a blender can be used for this process.

  3. Add zucchini, green beans, carrots and kidney beans to pot and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for an additional 25 minutes.

  4. Stir in the fresh herbs. Remove from heat and, if necessary, add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.