Summer Minestrone with Parsley Pistou

[kirra]

Summer Minestrone with Parsley Pistou

Ingredients:

3/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1 bulb fennel, cored and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
6 cloves minced garlic, divided
2 large tomatoes, cored, peeled and cut into ›-inch pieces
2 (2-inch) pieces Parmigiano-Reggiano rind
21/4 teaspoons salt, divided
3/8 teaspoon white pepper, divided
2 cups parsley leaves
1 yellow squash, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1 zucchini squash, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 cups green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup tube pasta (such as tubetti), cooked according to package directions, about 8 minutes and drained

Preparation:

Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large pot over high heat until hot. Add the onion, and reduce the heat to medium. Saute the onion until it begins to brown around the edges, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the fennel and continue to saute until the fennel is tender and just begins to brown around the edges, about five more minutes. Stir in two cloves of the minced garlic during the last minute of sauteing.

Add the tomatoes and 6 cups water. Stir in the cheese rinds, 2 teaspoons of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and then cover and simmer 20 minutes.

While the soup is cooking, prepare the pistou. Puree the parsley and the remaining minced garlic cloves in a food processor. Add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. With the motor running, drizzle in the remaining olive oil until emulsified. Set aside.

Add the squash and the beans to the pot, and continue to simmer until the beans are just cooked, about 10 minutes. Remove the Parmesan rinds from the soup, and stir in the cooked pasta. Ladle the soup into large flat bowls. Spoon a dollop of pistou onto each serving. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Note: Save the rinds from Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to add to the soup pot. It gives added flavor and substance to this vegetarian soup