Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2q cups yellow onions, diced
  • 2 cups carrots, diced
  • 2 cups leeks (white and light green parts only,) diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 5 medium potatoes, peeled, 1" dice
  • 4 large garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes with sauce
  • 1 water
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley and dried basil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups diced zucchini
  • 2 cups diced yellow squash
  • 1 cup dried shell pasta (or your favorite)
  • 1 16 oz. can small white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups frozen garden peas, defrosted under cold water
  • 1/2 cup Pesto (basil)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • 1. Heat the olive oil over a medium high heat in a large pot for 2 minutes and then add the next 6 ingredients and cook for 10 minutes stirring often. Next, add the basil, parsley and bay leaf. Cook for 5 minutes more.
  • 2. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce and water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a rolling simmer (medium-low.) Cover and cook until the potatoes are becoming fork tender. At this point, take a potato masher and mash some of the potatoes in the pot (this will add thickening to the soup) and then add the pasta and cook for 5 minutes more.
  • 3. Next, add the zucchini and squash and cook for 5 minutes. Then, add the peas, beans and pesto. Cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cream until well blended. Serve with whatever you desire:- toasted and buttered rustic Italian bread, croutons, cheesy toppings, fresh chopped parsley or basil. Hey! It's almost winter again...I'll let you be creative! Enjoy folks!