Italian Vegetable Soup

William (Uncle Bill) Anatooskin's Note:

This is a hearty, meatless vegetarian soup.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

BROTH

• 10 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 2 large celery ribs , chopped
• 1 cup celery leaves
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 large carrot , scrubbed and chopped

INGREDIENTS

• 15 fluid ounces red kidney beans , including liquid
• ½ cup chopped fresh green beans
• 1 large celery rib , chopped small
• ½ cup tiny peas , fresh or frozen
• 1 medium zucchini , cubed 1/2 inch (about 6" long)
• 1 large carrot , peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 small onion , chopped small
• 1 large potato , peeled and cubed 1/2 inch
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup fresh basil , lightly packed then chopped
• 3 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can plum tomatoes , including liquid
• ½ cup Coca-Cola (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons chicken soup base (optional)
• 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. BROTH: In a large cooking pot, add water, salt, onion, celery and celery leaves, bay leaf and carrot.
2. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Strain liquid and return to cooking pot, discarding the solids.
5. In the meantime, prepare all vegetables.
6. Vegetable broth should measure 8 cups of liquid, if required, add additional water to make up the difference and bring to boil.
7. INGREDIENTS: Add kidney beans, green beans, celery, green peas, zucchini, carrots, onion, potato, parsley, garlic, tomatoes including liquid (crush tomatoes), COCA-COLA, Worcestershire sauce, chicken soup base, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper.
8. Return to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
9. Adjust seasonings to taste.
10. Serve soup sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Reviews

[Ed&Theresa]

The smell of the broth cooking was wonderful and the taste of the soup was excellent.

[mostrah]

This soup is just plain wonderful! I started using the recipe shortly after it was posted and forgot to post a review as it quickly became a staple in our home. My parents love it! My son loves it! I don't use the coca cola and I sometimes substitute what veggies I have on hand for the other ingredients. The only place I DON'T fool around is with the stock. It's rich and wonderful! With the remainder of the soup, I often substitute parsnips or rutabaga or fresh corn. This is a wonderful end-of-the-garden soup and freezes fairly well. I would NOT do this in a crockpot. Plan to make this on a day you are home as you don't want the veggies mushy. You can, in a pinch, sub dried parsley and dried basil....but please try the fresh!