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Autumn Minestrone Soup

Try this autumn minestrone soup recipe any night for a warm treat.
The Martha Stewart Show, November Fall 2007
  • Yield Serves 6 to 8
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 bulb fennel, cut into 1-by-1/4-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 can (35 ounces) whole tomatoes, lightly crushed
  • 8 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 bunches Swiss chard leaves, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
  • 2 cups cooked tubetti pasta, for serving
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions

  1. Heat oil in an 8-quart stock pot over medium high heat. Add onion, celery, fennel, potatoes, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add tomatoes and their juices, stock, and cannellini beans; season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.

  3. Stir in vinegar and Swiss chard; season with salt and pepper. Divide pasta evenly between 6 to 8 bowls. Ladle over soup and garnish with cheese. Serve immediately.

Recipe Reviews

  • Fennel Friday
    14 Sep, 2012

    Happy Fennel Friday! This gorgeous recipe is a pick for Fennel Recipes for Autumn! http://fennelfriday.com/falling-for-autumn-fennel-recipes/ Thanks for sharing a great recipe!

  • Jules1383
    31 Dec, 2011

    This is by far the best minestrone I've ever had. My kids love it as well. I sometimes replace the Swiss chard with kale and it is equally good. I also add additional pepper, garlic, and vinegar.

  • craftydomesticgoddess
    9 Jan, 2008

    So delicious

  • alina_purcelea
    3 Jan, 2008

    this is inseanlly delicious!!!! i made it for some friends - and now I am the ultimate chef!!

  • natashacrk
    13 Dec, 2007

    Excellent Minestrone! My Fave!

  • dbd0707
    12 Dec, 2007

    Absolutely the very best homemade soup of any kind that I have ever made !! Thanks for a great recipe!!

  • michellepockrandt
    20 Nov, 2007

    I make this soup. This is very good with a lot of potatoes.

  • karenjoy
    11 Nov, 2007

    WOW I made this on a fall day for lunch, and can say it is truly the best Ministrone I have ever had. I now have freezer portions, and can hardly wait to make it for a big family gathering. It is a new COMFORT FOOD....

  • digimama
    10 Nov, 2007

    I made this last night - to accompany some home made bread I'd made the day before. It's REALLY good. I was worried my family would turn their noses up at the chard, but my 3-yr. old gobbled up everything and then asked for more!

  • lil
    7 Nov, 2007

    Hope this recipe "doubles" as I'm definitely going to try it!