Mom's Minestrone Soup

This is my Mother-in- law's recipe for Italian Minestrone soup. She was a first generation Italian and cooked very much like the "Old Country" masters!

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1  large onion
• 2  garlic cloves
• 1⁄2 cup fresh parsley
• 1 1⁄2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1  napa cabbage
• 2  stalks celery (sliced)
• 1⁄4 lb fresh green beans
• 3  carrots (diced)
• 2  zucchini (diced)
• 8  ounces  split peas (soaked)
• 1⁄2 cup pinto beans (soaked)
• 14  ounces stewed tomatoes
• 3  whole tomatoes (diced)
• 1⁄4 cup tomato paste
• 1  swiss chard
• 2  cups potatoes

Directions

1. Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in large pot. Add enough water to bring to 1/2 of the pot and bring to boil.
2. Add remainder of ingredients and bring to boil again.
3. Lower to simmer and continue to cook for 2-4 hours. Season and serve.