by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: December 24, 2008

Minestrone is a fabulous soup mainly served in Italy. Being raised in Italy, I have grown up eating this delicacy and never grew tired of it. Because there are so many vegetables on the market, the varieties of minestrone soups are endless. Minestrone is also very versatile, being a great winter or summer dish, humble or sophisticated, for the rich or for the poor. I will enclose two different varieties of minestrone, one for the winter and one for the summer.

Winter Minestrone

4 Potatoes

1 small onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 cup overnight soaked beans

1/2 cup peas

1 carrot

1 stalk of celery

Extra virgin olive oil

2 chicken bouillon cubes

Salt

Pepper

Dice potatoes, onion, and garlic. Chop carrots and celery. Saute in a large pan with extra virgin olive oil. Salt and pepper as necessary. Pour 3 cups of water and add the bouillon cubes and the beans. Allow the vegetables to cook and mingle their flavors all together. In the last half hours add the peas. The soup should be slightly dense at this point. Serve in dishes with some raw extra-virgin olive oil and a dash of pepper.

Summer minestrone

4 Potatoes

1 small onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 cup diced zucchini

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

1 carrot

1 stalk of celery

Extra virgin olive oil

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1 can of pesto

Salt

Pepper

Dice potatoes, onion, tomatoes and garlic. Chop carrots, zucchini and celery. Saute in a large pan with extra virgin olive oil. Salt and pepper as necessary. Pour 3 cups of water and add the bouillon cubes. Allow the vegetables to cook and mingle their flavors all together. Once all is tender add the jar of pesto. The soup should be slightly dense at this point. Serve in dishes with some raw extra virgin olive oil and a dash of pepper.

Minestrone is great. Being a pasta lover, I make this dish extra rich and hearty by adding some Ditalini pasta or chopped spaghetti. In this case, more water is needed so the pasta can soak it up. Minestrone is great served with some nice toasted bread. Enjoy it in as many ways as possible, you will never get tired of it!

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