Classic minestrone

Ingredients

• 1 ham hock (1kg)
• 1 brown onion (150g)
• 1 stalk celery (150g), trimmed, halved
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 1/2 litres (6 cups) water
• 2 cups (360g) cooked white beans
• 1 carrot (180g), chopped coarsely
• 2 zucchini (240g), chopped coarsely
• 2 stalks celery (300g), extra, trimmed, chopped coarsely
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 410 grams canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (100g) small pasta shells
• 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup (40g) grated parmesan cheese