Description
Minestra ingredients directions makes 8 servings this is a classic minestrone recipe. Classic minestrone always contains swiss chard and red kidney beans. The other ingredients are optional, and are a matter of personal taste or choice. Zucchine, summer squash, broccoli, and cauliflower, just to name a few, work well in this recipe. I learned to love greens as a child. When school was out during the summer, i spent two weeks with my grandparents in the country. My grandmother was a former professional cook, and my grandfather always raised a large garden. There was always vegetables galore to choose from. Kale was my favorite. Kale and swiss chard are in the same family of greens so when i saw a recipe with swiss chard in it, i immediately decided to make it. I also kept the kidney beans from the recipe that i had, but the other ingredients are my own personal choices. This soup has a rich taste that will delight your palate. Make some and enjoy.
Ingredients
- Pork Fat
- Boiling Potatoes
- Green Cabbage
- Swiss Chard Leaf
- Red Onion
- Garlic
- Water
- Red Kidney Beans
- Ham Hock
- Tomatoes
- Elbow Macaroni
- Salt
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- In a large casserole or soup pot, cook the pork fat over medium-high heat until there is some fat in the bottom of the pot, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly
- Then add the potatoes, cabbage, chard, onion, and garlic until the greens are wilted, about 5 minutes
- Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, add the beans, ham or smoked bacon, and tomato, and cook until the beans are tender, 2 to 3 hours
- Add the elbow macaroni and continue to cook until a spoon can stand straight up in the center of the soup, and the pasta is tender–about 15 minutes
- Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and serve