Minestrone

Minestrone is the Italian soup which is thick with vegetables but in this version we will not be using beans or pasta; the thick rich broth will be the base. Traditional ingredients include onions, carrots, celery, and zucchini. If using zucchini, add at the end so it does not get mushy.

Minestrone actually dates back to the expansion of the Latin tribes into what became the Roman Empire, when the local diet was vegetarian by necessity. Here you can add shredded chicken, beef or little lamb balls. It’s just a great soup to have in your repertoire. Make adjustments as you like!

You can make this in a pressure cooker in about 6 minutes. Or you can make it in 8 hours in a slow cooker. I tried both and they are very similar.

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot or pressure cooker. In a crock pot, cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. In a pressure cooker, it will be cooked in 5 minutes. Be sure to release the pressure valve so that you can stop the pressure after 5 minutes.

4 cups vegetable broth

1 28 oz. can of tomatoes or 4 cups diced tomatoes

3 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

½ tsp. oregano

3 carrots, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

½ onion, chopped

2 quash, chopped

1 cup green beans, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves

2 zucchini, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste