Empty the Pantry Minestrone

Buster's friend's Note:

It FINALLY got to be winter here & when I returned home I wanted soup! I DID NOT want to go back outside & thus this minestrone was born. Really yummmmm!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 12 ounces boneless pork (I used lean shoulder)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 5 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 3 potatoes, medium, peeled & diced
• 3 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 28 ounces diced tomatoes
• 3 zucchini, chopped
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 8 cups chicken broth
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Freeze pork until firm but not frozen solid. Slice into 1/4 inch slices. Then cut these into smaller slices the width of your finger & 1/2 the length of your finger.
2. Heat oil in your favorite soup cauldron & toss pork slices in to brown.
3. Add onion, celery & garlic. Saute with pork until onion is translucent.
4. Add basil, potato & tomatoes. Add chicken broth & simmer for 45 minutes - 1 hour.
5. Add zuchini & parsley - simmer 30 minutes.
6. Serve with freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese & hot crusty bread (let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!).