Minestrone

This is a recipe I adapted from Cook’s Illustrated Italian Classics cookbook. I did not change a lot, but I prefer this version with my slight adjustments.

It freezes very well using zip top bags.

INGREDIENTS - Serves 6-8

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

2 small leeks, white and light green parts, halved and sliced thin

3 medium carrots (one generous cup)

3 medium celery stalks (one generous cup)

1 medium onion (one generous cup)

1 medium baking potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)

3-4 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

1 - 28 ounce can whole, peeled San Marzano (see note) tomatoes, roughly chopped, and their juice

2 - 32 ounce cartons vegetable stock (Kitchen Basics preferred)

1 Parmesan cheese rind (about 4”x2” - use more than one if yours are smaller)

2 teaspoons of kosher salt (or to taste)

10 grinds of fresh black pepper (or to taste)

1 cup Ditalini (or Pastina or other very small pasta)

1 - 15 1/2 ounce cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup pesto, store bought or homemade (I use a pine nut-basil classic pesto)

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add carrots, onion and celery and saute until starting to become tender, 5-7 minutes. Increase the heat and add remaining vegetables, tomatoes and their juice, stock, Parmesan cheese rind and salt and pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for about one hour. Add the pasta and cook just until tender, about 10 minutes.

Remove the Parmesan cheese rind and add the beans. Simmer for 10 more minutes to warm the beans. Off the heat, add the pesto and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Serve immediately, refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze in zip-top containers.

Note: When a recipe calls for tomatoes, especially if it is Italian, I always use San Marzano whole, peeled variety. They have excellent flavor and you can find multiple brands. I like the Cento organic, and when making a large batch, Costco sells a jumbo size of the Nina brand.