Spring Minestrone

ratherbeswimmin''s Note:

I love making this with garden fresh green peas and asparagus. Delicious. Adapted from a Moosewood recipe.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic , minced
• 2 leeks , washed and chopped (white and green tender parts only)
• 1 cup diced celery
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel
• salt
• pepper
• 4 cups vegetable broth or 4 cups stock
• 1 cup cubed zucchini
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans , drained and rinsed
• 2 cups shredded greens (such as Swiss chard, kale, or spinach)
• 1 cup green peas , fresh or frozen
• 1 cup cut asparagus (2-inch pieces)
• 1 dash fresh lemon juice or 1 dash cider vinegar , to taste
• grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot, add oil; heat over medium heat.
2. Add in onions and garlic; saute for 5 minutes or until onions are softened.
3. Add in the leeks and saute/stir for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add in the celery, oregano, fennel, salt and pepper to taste; continue to saute/stir for another 5 minutes.
5. Add in vegetable stock; stir and bring to a boil.
6. Lower heat, add the zucchini and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Add in the white beans and return to a gentle simmer.
8. Add in the greens, peas, and asparagus; simmer for about 10 minutes or until tender.
9. Right before ready to serve, add the lemon juice or vinegar.
10. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls; sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.

Reviews

[Zaccaria]

I am in love. I could eat bowl after bowl of this wonderful soup. I added a can of tomatoes and some white wine to the cooking. I loved the fennel as well. Chopped fresh fennel would be good in this soup.

[Polar Bear]

The secret to the good taste is the broth. We prefer doing making the broth because some ready-made vegetable broths taste salty. To make your own broth, simply add carrots and some fresh herbs, including a few slices of ham or beef and voila ! you´ve got the best spring minestrone :) Thanks for sharing NurseDi

[TamaraJo77]

Homemade soup is something I enjoy having for lunch. This one tasted great and was healthy. I used fresh peas, asparagus, and baby spinach. I liked the flavor from the fennel. Very snappy. A very cool spring soup. Thanks.