Summer Minestrone al Pesto

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced, about 1 1/2 cups
  • Salt and pepper
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper
  • Splash of white wine (optional)
  • 2 large very ripe sweet tomatoes, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 3 or 4 zucchini or summer squash, chopped into roughly 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
  • ½ pound romano beans, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths (about 2 cups)
  • 2 cups small, dry pasta, such pennette or orecchiette
  • ½ pound small green beans, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • FOR THE PESTO:
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 cups basil leaves, loosely packed, washed and dried
  • 1 cup parsley leaves, loosely packed, washed and dried
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Info

  • Prep: 15
  • Cook: 30
  • Serves: 4
  • Source
stars  from 1 votes

Directions

  1. Set a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat, and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and just beginning to color, 5 or 6 minutes.
  2. Add garlic, bay leaf, tomato paste and red pepper. Cook, stirring, for another minute, then add wine, if using, and tomatoes, and bring to a brisk simmer.
  3. Add 8 cups water and a good pinch of salt and let mixture return to a brisk simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, then taste for seasoning. The broth should be well seasoned before the vegetables go in.
  4. Make the pesto: As the broth simmers, pound the garlic and salt to a paste in a large mortar. Beginning with a few basil leaves at a time, pound basil to a paste, then add parsley leaves and a little salt. Continue to pound until all the basil and parsley have been pounded into a coarse green paste. (Alternatively, many people may wish to make the pesto in a food processor.)
  5. Transfer to a serving bowl and whisk in olive oil and Parmesan. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Set pesto aside covered with a thin layer of oil or with plastic film pressed against its surface to prevent oxidation.
  6. Add the zucchini, romano beans and pasta to the simmering broth and cook 7 to 8 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Add green beans and cook for a minute or 2.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls, topping each with a dollop of pesto. Pass more grated Parmesan at the table.
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