My My My Minestra - Italian Vegetable Soup With Pasta

Some of Italy's finest ingredients make up this warming soup. Adapted from 'Pasta Cooking' by Parragon.... the original recipe called for spinach, which I didn't fancy, so I subbed zucchini. I get the impression that our zucchini are generally a bit smaller than those in the Northern hemisphere, so balance the amount used with your other vegetables, just feel your way! You don't want your soup to be over-loaded with any one vegetable. Hope you enjoy!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  medium onion, sliced
• 1  large carrot, cut into matchsticks
• 2  stalks celery, cut into matchsticks
• 3  medium zucchini, cut into matchsticks
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 3  pints water
•  salt and pepper
• 1 (420 g) can chopped tomatoes
• 120  g  short-cut macaroni
• 2  garlic cloves, crushed
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 1  teaspoon fresh rosemary
• 60  g parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

1. Heat oil in large heavy pan and fry vegetable strips until just browning, stirring occasionally. Pour on water, season to taste with salt and pepper, and let simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes, garlic, macaroni, parsley and rosemary to the soup, and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
3. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.