Minestrone

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups  cooked garbanzo beans
• 1⁄2 cup dry pasta
• 1  cup  chopped fresh tomato
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
•  parmesan cheese
• 1  cup  chopped onion
• 4 -5  cloves garlic, crushed
• 1  cup  minced celery
• 1  cup  cubed carrot
• 1  cup  cubed eggplants or 1  cup zucchini
• 1  cup  chopped green pepper
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped fresh parsley
• 1  teaspoon basil
• 2  cups tomato puree
• 3 1⁄2 cups water or 3 1⁄2 cups  beef stock
• 3  tablespoons dry red wine

Directions

1. In a soup kettle, saute garlic and onions in olive oil until they are soft and translucent.
2. Add 1 tsp salt, carrot, celery and eggplant/ zucchini.
3. If you use zucchini, add it with the green pepper.
4. Mix well.
5. Add oregano, black pepper, stock, puree, cooked beans and wine.
6. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
7. Add tomatoes and remaining salt.
8. Keep at the lowest heat until 10 minutes before you plan to serve.
9. Then, heat the soup to a boil, add the pasta, and boil gently until the pasta is tender.
10. Serve immediately, topped with parsley and parmesan.