Wilson Farm Recipes : Summer Minestrone with Shell Beans

Ingredients

• 2 slices bacon, diced (or 1 ½ tbsp. oil)
• ¾ cup onion, coarsely chopped
• 6 cups Beef Broth
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 clove garlic, minced (1 - 1 ½ tsp).
• 2 cups fresh shell beans, shelled
• 1 bay leaf
• ¾ cups green beans, ½-inch pieces
• ½ cup carrots, peeled, ¼-inch
• ½ cup celery, sliced
• ¾ cup potatoes, peeled, ½-inch diced
• 2 cups zucchini, ½-inch diced pieces
• 1 ½ cups tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped
• 2 tsp fresh basil, chopped or ½ tsp. dried (or more to taste)
• 1 Tbsp parsley, chopped (preferably Italian flat leaf)
• 2 cups cabbage or escarole, chopped
• ½ cup small-shell pasta (or elbow macaroni)
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan or Romano cheese, Grated