Classic Minestrone

Adapted from Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart's recipe actually uses quite a bit of fall vegetables- carrots, cabbage, celery.... Substitute the green beans for our dried Jacob's cattle beans (or canned Cannellini's or Great Northern beans) and this is a wonderful fall soup.  

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving (optional)
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 large celery stalk, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
• 1 large potato, peeled and diced
• 1/4 head Savoy or green cabbage (1/2 pound), cored and thinly sliced
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, plus torn leaves for serving (optional)
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions

In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion, carrots, celery, red-pepper flakes, rosemary, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to turn golden, 5 to 8 minutes.

Add tomatoes; cook until some of the liquid evaporates, 1 minute. Add potato, cabbage, cannellini beans, and 7 cups water; bring to a boil. Stir in green beans.

Reduce to a simmer, and cook until all the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; stir in garlic, if using, and basil. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan and, if using, torn basil. Drizzle with more oil, if desired.