Kale Squash Minestra Recipes

TOASTED SPAGHETTI MINESTRA WITH TUSCAN KALE

Steps:

• Place the mushrooms, stock and 2 cups water in a pot and bring to a gentle simmer to reconstitute the mushrooms.
• Heat a soup pot over medium to medium-high heat with the olive oil. Melt the butter into the oil and add the pasta pieces. Brown the pasta until nutty and very fragrant. Remove the browned pasta and reserve in an airtight container for a make-ahead meal. If you are making the soup the same night you are serving it, leave it in the pot.
• Add the garlic, celery, carrots and onions to the pot, season with salt and pepper and partially cover the pan to sweat vegetables, 7 to 8 minutes. Wilt in the kale and season with a little freshly grated nutmeg.
• Remove the reconstituted mushrooms from the stock with a slotted spoon. Chop the mushrooms and add to the kale and vegetables. Add all but the last few spoonfuls of the soaking liquid to the soup pot. Add the beans and bring to a simmer.
• Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. To serve, simmer the pasta in the soup until al dente. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and top with grated cheese.

MINESTRONE WITH KALE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, and add the onion and carrots.
• Cook, stirring often, until the onion turns translucent and the carrots glisten, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook, stirring, for another minute or so, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant.
• Add the tomatoes and their liquid and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down a bit.
• Add the beans, kale, parsley, water, and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until the flavors are all incorporated and the kale is tender.
• Add the cooked pasta, and stir to incorporate.
• Cook for 5 minutes more, tasting and adjusting the salt and pepper as needed, then remove from heat and serve.

KALE & SQUASH MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the onion, cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 4 minutes. Add the squash, cover and cook, stirring, until lightly browned in spots but not tender, 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the kale and cook, stirring, until wilted, 5 minutes. Add the stock, cover and simmer until the kale and squash are just tender, 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and navy beans to the soup and simmer until the soup is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Ladle the soup into deep bowls and garnish with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Serve with garlic toasts. MAKE AHEAD The kale-squash soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

TUSCAN KALE AND SQUASH MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil and add the onion; cover and let sweat, over moderate heat, stirring often, until softened, 4 minutes.
• Add squash, cover, let cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is lightly browned in spots (it will not be tender), 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook 1 minute; add kale and cook, stirring, until it wilts, 5 minutes.
• Pour in the stock, cover and simmer until kale and squash are tender, 8 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• In the meantime, cook pasta in salted water, according to package directions, until al dente; drain.
• Add pasta and navy beans to the soup and simmer until the soup thickens slightly, about 5 minutes; stir in the remaining olive oil.
• Serve in deep bowls, garnished with shaved cheese, and with garlic toasts.
• NOTE: Will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. The next day the soup will be thicker and some prefer it this way.