Late Summer Minestrone Recipes

LATE-SUMMER-VEGETABLE MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium. Add onions and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and chard stems; cook, stirring occasionally, until chard stems are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add green beans and tomatoes. Season with 2 teaspoons salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until beans and tomatoes start to soften, 5 minutes.
• Add zucchini, 5 cups water, Parmesan rind, and butter beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until all vegetables are softened, about 25 minutes, adding chard leaves in last 2 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan and basil, or freeze up to 3 months.

ABRUZZO SUMMER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onions and carrots and cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the chicken broth, chard, pasta, green beans, oregano, pasta sauce, cannellini beans, squash, zucchini, 1 cup water, 2 teaspoons salt and several grinds of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the pasta is cooked and the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Divide among 6 bowls and top with the torn basil and Parmesan.

SIMPLE MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towel. In the drippings, saute sausage, onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Stir in the carrot and celery. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer or until sausage is lightly browned; drain., Stir in the broth, tomatoes, tomato juice, zucchini and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the beans and macaroni; heat through. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bacon.