Minestrone Soup
 

This is a wonderful recipe, that I have had since the mid '70's. I got it from 'Sunset Magazine' (regional to the northwest). Some friends have said that it is better than Olive Gardens Minestrone Soup. Makes LOTS!

Suggestion ~ slice, dice, and chop everything before you start cooking.

Serves 16 - 20
Use 10 - 12 qt (or larger!) soup kettle.

1/4 lb minced Salt Pork (I have substituted bacon)
3 minced Garlic cloves
2 tbsp Olive Oil

2 diced Carrots
1 diced large Onion
3 cups diced Celery

1 6 oz. can Tomato Paste

4 quarts Water

3 Beef Bouillon Cubes
1 1/2 tbsp Salt
1/2 tsp White Pepper (have used black)
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Thyme

2 peeled diced Potatoes
1/2 head chopped Cabbage
2 seeded diced Green Peppers

2 diced Zucchini
1 bunch finely chopped Spinach

3/4 cooked Elbow Macaroni (1/3 cup uncooked)
1 12 oz can Tomatoes
1 12 oz can Garbanzo Beans (aka Chickpeas)
1 12 oz can Red Kidney Beans

In a 10 - 12 qt soup kettle, saute salt pork and garlic in very hot olive oil.

Add carrots, onion and celery. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes

Add tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add water and bring to a full boil for 5 minutes.

Add beef bouillon and seasoning - mix well.

Add potatoes, cabbage and green pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.

Turn heat to medium low. Add zucchini and spinach. Cook until all vegetables are tender.

Add cooked macaroni, tomatoes, and beans. Heat through



This can be frozen, BUT you must omit the macaroni, because it turns to mush when frozen/thawed.

Humorous addition ~ I had DH fax it to my friend that I was visiting. The original copy was so bad that he had to re-write the whole recipe :) So he added this last line. "Slowly feed mess down garbage disposal. Order pizza! But he also loves this soup ;)

Oh, this sounds so good! I LOVE garbanzo beans, but have to leave them out because my hubby loathes them. We eat soup several days a week, during the fall and winter. Thanks for posting! :)

This sounds delicious. My hubby & I both love soup. I'll definitely give this one a try. Thank you for sharing.:)

O MY!!!!! Thank so much! I made this recipe today for dinner and man alive it is amazing!!!! I can't thank you enough. It was/is the best soup ever! My husband needed something to take to work tomorrow for his office so I made it for us to have tonight and then will send the rest into the work potluck in the morning. I just know that it will be a great hit there just like it was for us here tonight. I made it just exactly as you suggested and it was absolutely delicious!

I know I will make this for many years to come. Again thank you so so much! :)
Quilting D

Quilting D ~ your welcome :)

As I mentioned before, I have had this recipe since the mid 70's. I have served this as Xmas eve dinner, potlucks or just for the family. Many friends have said that is BETTER than Olive Gardens. hehehe