Autumn Vegetable Minestrone Recipes

CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, tomato paste and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.
• Add the seasonal vegetables, garlic, oregano and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
• Pour in the diced tomatoes and their juices, broth and water. Add the salt, bay leaves and red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
• Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot with the lid, leaving about a 1" gap for steam to escape. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and add the pasta, beans and greens. Continue simmering, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the the pasta is cooked al dente and the greens are tender.
• Remove the pot from the heat, then remove the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Taste and season with more salt (I usually add about 1/4 teaspoon more) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup with grated Parmesan, if you'd like.

AUTUMN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a large soup pot on medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the squash, celery, carrots, potatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and water and cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are almost done. Add the kale and beans and simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the kale is tender and the beans are hot.
• Serve immediately.

AUTUMN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in an 8-quart stock pot over medium high heat. Add onion, celery, fennel, potatoes, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and their juices, stock, and cannellini beans; season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in vinegar and Swiss chard; season with salt and pepper. Divide pasta evenly between 6 to 8 bowls. Ladle over soup and garnish with cheese. Serve immediately.

GLUTEN-FREE NORTHERN ITALIAN AUTUMN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Place cranberry beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let soak, 8 hours to overnight. Drain.
• Shred carrot, yellow onion, celery, and red pepper in a food processor to create a sofrito mixture.
• Heat oil in a 7-quart pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Add sofrito mixture and saute until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add soaked beans, potatoes, diced carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, and diced onion. Cook and stir until warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add oregano, rosemary, and bay leaf. Stir well to coat vegetables with oil and seasonings.
• Add enough broth to cover vegetables by 1 inch. Close the pressure cooker lid and bring up to pressure, about 10 minutes. Cook an additional 10 minutes from the first whistle.
• Allow pressure to release naturally and remove lid, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt if necessary. Add additional broth to allow for cooking the pasta. Bring to a boil and add pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Add more boiling broth if needed during cooking.
• Ladle soup into bowls and top with minced hot pepper and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

FALL MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, zucchini, and onion; saute until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and rosemary; cook, stirring so the garlic doesn't burn, for another 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, potatoes, and chard.
• Bring to a simmer and cook until the chard is wilted, about 5 minutes. Add beef stock and beans, bring to a simmer, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

AUTUMN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a big pot over medium heat.
• Add the onions and garlic; stir and saute for 5 minutes.
• Add in the squash, celery, carrots, potatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and water.
• Bring to a boil, lower heat and cook until potatoes are done (10 minutes or so).
• Add in the kale and beans; let simmer for 5-7 minutes or until kale is tender and the beans are heated; season to taste with additional salt/pepper if desired.
• Serve immediately.