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As an Italian, I love minestrone. It's a thick vegetable-rich soup, what's not to love?
Minestrone is a traditional Italian vegetable soup that typically includes vegetables such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, celery, beans, and potatoes, as well as pasta or rice. The exact ingredients used can vary based on regional and personal preferences, but the soup is known for its hearty, comforting flavor and texture.
Minestrone is usually made by sautéing the vegetables in olive oil, then adding broth or water and simmering the mixture until the vegetables are tender. Pasta or rice is then added to the soup and cooked until tender. Minestrone is often served with grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread for dipping.
Minestrone is a nutritious and filling dish that can be customized based on the ingredients you have on hand. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables and can be made vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
GREEN VEGETABLE & WHITE BEAN MINESTRONE
INGREDIENTS:
4 tbsp butter (reg or vegan)
1 yellow onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
salt & black pepper
4 small zucchini, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 large head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
1 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning blend
1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth, more as needed to cover veggies
2 -15oz cans of cannellini beans
1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups frozen green peas
juice of one lemon
a crap load of shredded parmesan cheese (regular or vegan)
In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and stir for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and season with salt and black pepper. Mix well for 30 seconds, then add the zucchini, broccoli, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Mix well and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the broth and beans. Mix well. Let simmer while occasionally stirring for 5 minutes. Add in the asparagus and peas. Cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Taste it and see if you want to add any more salt, black pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. Turn off the heat and add in the lemon juice. Serve up and garnish each bowl with a ton of parmesan cheese.