Hot And Hearty Minestrone

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 slices bacon or pancetta
• 1 large leek, white and light green parts only, split in half and rinsed well under running water, thinly sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped, about 1 1/2 cups
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1 to 2 Parmesan cheese rinds, about 5 by 2 inches each
• 2 carrots, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
• 2 ribs celery, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup Great Northern beans, soaked overnight, (or one 15-ounce can white beans, drained and rinsed)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
• 1 medium zucchini, cubed (about 1 1/4 cups)
• 2 medium new potatoes, scrubbed and cubed (6 ounces or 1 1/4 cups)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 2 cups packed fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped