Author Notes
(Good for the mind as well as the appetite) Lately I have been rereading some of Angelo Pellegrini's books.(1904-1991) He was an Italian immigrant who became a college professor at the University of Washington. ..an English professor no less! I knew some who had taken classes from him and they described him as one of the most dynamic and much loved teachers . In his books he most eloquently writes about the pleasure of growing and making your own food. He even made his own wine with grapes sent to him by Robert Mondavi. One of the recipes he loosely describes in his first book, The Unprejudiced Palate is a minestrone soup. This is my version inspired by a great man who always referred to himself as a peasant. —dymnyno
Ingredients
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6 cups
chicken stock and water, 1/2, 1/2
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1 cup
cannellini beans, soaked overnight
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2 sprigs
fresh thyme
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4 cups
chicken stock
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4 ounces
lean salt pork, minced
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3
garlic cloves, smashed and minced
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1 cup
spring onions, medium chop (yellow onions if you must)
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1 cup
leeks, medium chop, white only
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1 cup
celery, medium chop
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4 cups
tomatoes, canned
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1 cup
zucchini, medium chop
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2 cups
kale, ribs removed and hand torn into small pieces
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1 cup
savoy cabbage, medium chop
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1 cup
trottoloni or elbow pasta if you can't find
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1 cup
parmesano cheese
Directions
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After removing the beans from the overnight soak, put them in a large pot with 2 sprigs of thyme and 6 cups of water or a combo of water and chicken stock.
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After the beans are completely cooked and very little liquid is left in the pot, smash about three quarters of the beans. Then add 4 cups of chicken stock and simmer.
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IN ANOTHER large pot saute the minced salt pork with the chopped onion and garlic until the onions are soft and just about to turn brown.Add the tomatoes and simmer.
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In the bean soup add one cup leeks , one cup celery and two cups pasta and cook until al dente. Add more water or stock if needed.
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Add the bean soup to the tomato mixture.
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Add the zucchini and kale to the soup and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the vegetables are just done.
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Serve with a heavy sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
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