Hearty Chick Pea and Greens Soup

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chick peas (alternatively use 2 14 to 15 ounce cans, drained and rinsed)
  
• 2 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
  
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
  
• 2 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
  
• 4 cloves garlic
  
• 3 Italian sausages (hot or mild) casings removed ( about 12 ounces)
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 2 medium fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
  
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
  
• ¹/₄ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
  
• 8 cups chicken broth
  
• 5 cups baby spinach leaves
  
• 5 cups chopped collard greens which have been braised in water for 8 to 10 minutes
  
• 10 large fresh basil leaves, finely sliced
  
• ³/₄ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
  
• Salt and pepper for reseasoning if necessary