Really you can put whatever veggies you have on hand or want in this recipe. I have added broccoli and potatoes before, and substituted the spinach with kale. Really, whatever you want works! You don't even have to follow the amounts listed. Such as; it calls for 1/2 cup zucchini. I like zucchini but not the biggest fan of white beans, so I put more zucchini in and left out the white beans. Its really your preference!
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small minced white onion
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen cut Italian green beans
1/2 stalk minced celery
4 cloves minced garlic
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cans (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained
2 cans (15 oz) great northern or small white beans, drained
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup shredded carrot
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups hot water
4 cups fresh baby spinach or chard
1/2 cup small shell pasta
Measure olive oil into a large stock pot and heat on medium.
Put the onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini into the pot and saute for about 5 minutes or until the onions become see-through.
Add the vegetable broth, drained tomatoes, beans, carrots, hot water and spices to the pot.
Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the spinach leaves and the pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
