Minestrone Soup Recipe — The Mom 100

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup diced pancetta or bacon ((optional))
• 2 cups diced onion
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 2 leeks ((white and light green parts only, washed and diced))
• ½ cup diced celery
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 cups slivered cabbage ((preferably napa))
• 4 cups chopped washed and chopped kale ((thick ribs and stems discarded))
• 1 large potato ((peeled and diced, about 1 cup))
• 3 cups seeded and diced ripe tomatoes ((or 1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes in juice))
• 8 cups vegetable or chicken broth ((preferably less sodium))
• 1 Parmesan rind ((optional; see Note))
• 2 cans (15-ounce) white beans ((such as Northern or cannellini, rinsed and drained))
• 3 cups diced zucchini
• ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves ((or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried))
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper ((to taste))
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• Grated Parmesan cheese ((to serve; optional))