Harvest Vegetable Minestrone
This delightful Harvest Vegetable Minestrone is a vibrant and hearty take on a classic recipe, perfect for warming your soul during the brisk fall months. Inspired by the bounty of fresh produce from the farmer's market, this soup combines tender chunks of potatoes, sweet butternut squash, and vibrant swiss chard, all simmered in savory vegetable broth. Each bowl is a nutrition-packed melody of flavors, enriched with the option of adding a splash of dry white wine for depth, and a hint of crushed red pepper for a gentle kick. Whether enjoyed on its own or with a slice of crusty bread, this soup is sure to become a favorite autumn staple in your home.
N/A
Servings
225
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Onion
1 cup (chopped)
Garlic
4 cloves (minced)
Vegetable Broth
6 cups
Salt
3/4 teaspoon
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Potatoes
2 1/2 cups (diced)
Butternut Squash
2 1/2 cups (diced)
Carrot
1/2 cup (diced)
Okra
1 cup (sliced)
Pinto Beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
Whole Wheat Egg Noodles
1 1/2 cups (raw)
Swiss Chard
4 cups (roughly chopped)
Dry White Wine
to taste (optional)
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
to taste (optional)
Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup (shredded)
Instructions
1
In a large pot coated with cooking spray, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic over medium heat until they become translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
2
Add the vegetable broth, diced potatoes, butternut squash, salt, black pepper, diced carrots, and sliced okra to the pot. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
3
Stir in the raw whole wheat egg noodles and return the soup to a gentle boil. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4
Once the noodles are nearly cooked through, add the drained and rinsed pinto beans and the chopped swiss chard to the pot. Continue to simmer until all of the vegetables are tender and the noodles are cooked, roughly another 5-7 minutes.
5
Stir in a splash of dry white wine for enhanced flavor, if desired. Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes according to taste.
6
Serve hot, garnished with a generous sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese on top. Each serving is approximately 1 1/2 cups with one tablespoon of cheese.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
8.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harvest Vegetable Minestrone?
It is a vibrant and hearty autumn soup made with fresh produce like potatoes, butternut squash, and Swiss chard simmered in a savory vegetable broth.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian recipe featuring vegetable broth, beans, and a variety of fresh vegetables.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 225 calories.
What are the main vegetables in this soup?
The main vegetables include onions, potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, okra, and Swiss chard.
How do I start cooking the Harvest Vegetable Minestrone?
Start by sautéing chopped onion and minced garlic in a large pot coated with cooking spray for about 5 minutes until translucent.
Can I add wine to the recipe?
Yes, you can stir in a splash of dry white wine for enhanced depth of flavor if desired.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of pinto beans, which should be drained and rinsed.
What kind of noodles are recommended?
The soup uses 1 1/2 cups of raw whole wheat egg noodles.
How should the butternut squash be prepared?
The butternut squash should be diced into 2 1/2 cups of pieces.
What is the recommended garnish for this soup?
It is recommended to serve the soup hot with a generous sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese.
How much protein does this soup provide per serving?
Each serving provides 8.75 grams of protein.
Can I make this soup spicy?
Yes, you can add crushed red pepper flakes to taste to give the soup a gentle kick.
How long do the initial vegetables need to simmer?
After bringing the broth and vegetables to a boil, they should simmer for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften.
When is the Swiss chard added?
The chopped Swiss chard is added in the final stages of cooking, along with the pinto beans.
What is the total amount of vegetable broth needed?
The recipe requires 6 cups of vegetable broth.
What is the approximate serving size for this recipe?
The serving size is approximately 1 1/2 cups of soup with one tablespoon of cheese.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 5 grams of fat per serving.
Are carrots included in the Harvest Vegetable Minestrone?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 cup of diced carrots.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 4 minced garlic cloves.
Is okra a standard ingredient in this version of minestrone?
Yes, this specific recipe includes 1 cup of sliced okra for added texture and flavor.
How much Swiss chard is required?
You will need 4 cups of roughly chopped Swiss chard.
How many grams of carbohydrates are per serving?
Each serving contains 37.5 grams of carbohydrates.
How long do the egg noodles need to cook in the soup?
The noodles should cook for about 5 minutes initially, then for another 5-7 minutes while the beans and chard finish.
What makes this a 'harvest' soup?
It is inspired by the bounty of fresh produce found at farmer's markets during the fall months, such as squash and chard.
Do I need to rinse the pinto beans?
Yes, the instructions state to drain and rinse the pinto beans before adding them to the pot.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a nutrition-packed melody of flavors and tagged as a healthy recipe.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper?
Yes, you should adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper according to your personal taste.
What type of cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of shredded parmesan cheese for garnishing.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to sauté chopped onion and minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant.
Is this a quick recipe to prepare?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as 'quick' and involves simple simmering steps that can be completed relatively fast.