It’s mid-October and we’ve had our first cold-snap! For us in South Florida, that means the mercury “dipped” to a low of 73° at night. And only got to 85° during the day. Break out the flannel.
I’ve been here long enough that I can actually detect those minuscule 2°to 3° changes. I noticed it yesterday when I was bringing in the recycling bins. I stepped outside and instead of being hit with a steamy blast of humidity, the air felt breathable – as in I could breathe without gills. It wasn’t cool exactly, but it wasn’t sweat-inducing, either. So there you go. Fall in the tropics.
In honor of this (ever so gradual) shift in seasons, I made a big pot of minestrone. It’s a healthy, veggie and grain packed version that is delicious for dinner, but also works well packed in a thermos for a school lunch or nuked in the break room at the office.
I think I’ve got everyone covered here. If you don’t do gluten, skip the pasta and farro and sub in some rice or quinoa instead — or add some extra beans.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 medium carrots peeled and cut into bite-sized coins
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 stalks celery sliced crosswise into 1/2" pieces
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 - 7 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 14- oz can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 14- oz can kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup red potato diced
- 1/2 cup farro
- 1/2 cup ditalini or other small pasta
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 cup frozen green beans
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the carrots, onions, celery and garlic and sauté, until vegetables are slightly softened.
- Add the potatoes, basil, marjoram, thyme, bay leaf and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, then add the tomatoes, kidney beans and farro. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the pasta and cook to al dente (according to package directions). Three to four minutes before the pasta is finished cooking, stir in the frozen beans, corn and peas. You want the pasta to be done and the veg to be heated through, but not mushy. Serve.
Lots of colourful vegetables and fabulous flavours. Perfect for a cold day
I do love a hearty minestrone soup. Just like yours, packed with vegetables, pasta etc. It’s summer here in Australia at the moment, and I can totally relate when you say “I could breathe without gills”! Actually loved that! We are having a few hot and steamy old days down under right now.
Sometimes that heat can really be oppressive, right Sara?
I’ve never been a minestrone fan, but I should probably have a go as an adult! My mother (who was born in Italy) always made it when I was little. So many healthy ingredients!
It’s funny how our tastes change as we mature — I hated ratatouille as a kid and now, I can’t get enough!
Yum, on a chilly day like today this is my idea of a perfect lunch!
I agree! Thank you!
Can’t wait to make this but will it work in a big pot instead of Dutch oven?
Absolutely. I use a dutch oven for more even temperature control, but a good stock pot works fine! Enjoy!
I can’t wait to try it, but is the farro cooked an how do you cook it?
Hi Gretchen! Just add the farro to the soup uncooked and it will cook in the broth — the pasta cooks in the broth as well.
This looks fantastic! Delicious and colorful all at once 🙂 I love soups in fall and this one I will have to make…will probably substitute the pasta with rice I’ll let you know how that turns out.
Sounds good, Jessica! Hope you enjoy it!