Skip to main content

Vegetable Minestrone with Pesto

3.3

(3)

This recipe is part of the Epicurious Online Cooking School, in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America. To watch it being made, and to learn how to make other Italian classics, check out the videos.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large stalk celery, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 large carrot, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small leek, white and pale green parts only, washed and chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 large russet potato, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup fava beans (freshly shelled, or soaked if dry)
1 cup canned crushed plum tomatoes, with their juices
1 medium zucchini, trimmed and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch-long pieces
1/2 cup shelled fresh or frozen peas
1 cup loosely packed chopped fresh spinach (or any fresh greens with stems removed if necessary)
One roughly 2-inch-square Parmigiano-Reggiano rind, rinsed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup pesto

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    1. In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, warm the oil. Add the onion, celery, carrot, leek, potato, and parsley, and sauté, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

    Step 2

    2. Add the fava beans, tomatoes, zucchini, and 2 quarts of water to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then add the green beans, peas, spinach, and the Parmigiano-Reggiano rind. Reduce the heat to moderately low, season to taste with salt and pepper, and simmer until the beans and potatoes are fully cooked and tender, about 20 minutes.

    Step 3

    3. Remove and discard the Parmigiano-Reggiano rind. Divide the soup among heated soup bowls and top with the pesto. Note: You may cool, cover, and refrigerate the soup up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.

Italian Cooking at Home with The Culinary Institute of America
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.