Minestrone Soup

J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Ingredients

• 4 ounces (115g) salt pork or pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice (optional)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 6 ounces; 175g)
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely diced (about 3 ounces; 85g)
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced (about 3 ounces; 85g)
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons; 12g)
• 1 pound (450g) or can of ripe Roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped.
• 2 cups of canned cannellini beans
• 1 Parmesan rind

To Finish

• 1 cup dried small pasta, such as ditali(about 3 1/2 ounces; 100g)
• 1 medium zucchini, cut into bite-size pieces (about 4 ounces; 115g)
• 1 medium summer squash, cut into bite-size pieces (about 4 ounces; 115g)
• 4 ounces green beans, cut into 1/2-inch lengths (about 115g)
• 4 ounces spinach, roughly chopped (about 4 cups loosely packed leaves; 115g)
• Chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or rosemary, for serving
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Heat pancetta (if using) and olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat.
2. Cook, stirring, until pancetta has rendered fat and softened, but has not yet browned. (If omitting pancetta, heat oil just until shimmering.)
3. Add onion, carrot, celery, and minced rosemary. Season with a big pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until vegetables are softened but not browned, 10 to 15 minutes, adding more oil if pot appears dry or if vegetables are starting to stick to the bottom.
4. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, until most of their moisture has evaporated and the mixture starts to fry. (The sound should change from a sputtering simmering sound to a sharper crackle as vegetables start to fry).
5. Add Parmesan Rind and drain and rinse 2 cups of canned beans and add them to the soup, along with 2 quarts of homemade vegetable stock, or store-bought or homemade low-sodium chicken stock. Let simmer for 30 minutes before proceeding to step 6.
6. Add pasta (unless you are planning on simmering for a long time; see step 7), zucchini, squash, and green beans and simmer until pasta and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes. Discard Parmesan rind, if used.
7. Serve soup immediately as is, or continue simmering for up to 2 1/2 hours for a heartier texture and flavor (if simmering for a long time, add the pasta 10 to 15 minutes before serving). Alternatively, reserve half of soup on the side, continue to simmer the other half in the pot for up to 2 1/2 hours, and stir reserved soup back in for a soup that is hearty, but still has plenty of bright vegetable flavor and texture. Stir in chopped herbs and season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.