Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Ditalini

What you need

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving
• 1 onion, medium
• 2 carrots, medium
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 250 g (9 oz) potato, 1 large, peeled
• 300 g (11 oz) zucchini, 2 small
• 150 g (5 oz) green beans, trimmed
• 400 g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes, with their juice
• 1.5 l (6 cups) vegetable stock, or water
• 1 piece parmesan rind, optional
• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, 400 g, drained and rinsed
• 100 g (3.5 oz) ditalini, or other small soup pasta
• 100 g (3.5 oz) spinach, or chard, roughly chopped
• 1 handful basil leaves
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• 40 g (1/2 cup) parmesan, finely grated, for serving

Method

Restated from the original video

1. 1

   Cut the onion, carrots, celery and potato into 1 cm (1/2 in) dice. Cut the zucchini into pieces of the same size and the green beans into 2 cm (3/4 in) lengths.

2. 2

   Set a large heavy pot over medium heat and warm the olive oil in it.

3. 3

   Add the onion, carrots and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook gently, stirring often, until soft and sweet but not browned, about 10 min.

4. 4

   Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 min.

5. 5

   Add the potato, green beans and zucchini and turn them in the oil for 2-3 min.

6. 6

   Pour in the tomatoes and the stock, drop in the parmesan rind and bring to a boil.

7. 7

   Lower the heat, partly cover and simmer until the potato is tender and the soup has thickened a little, 25-30 min.

8. 8

   Stir in the cannellini beans and the ditalini. Simmer, stirring now and then so it does not catch, until it is al dente, 8-10 min. Add a splash of water if the soup gets too thick.

9. 9

   Stir in the spinach and let it wilt, 1-2 min.

10. 10

    Fish out the parmesan rind. Tear in the basil and season with salt and black pepper.

11. 11

    Ladle into bowls, drizzle each with a little olive oil and serve with the grated parmesan on the side.

Imported from iamhomesteader.com. Recipe Grab pulled out what you need to cook it; the video stays where its author put it.