Hearty Harvest Vegetable Minestrone
This rendition of a classic minestrone soup combines the warmth of a hearty vegetable medley with the comfort of home-cooked simplicity. Perfect for cool, rainy days, this flexible recipe makes the most of fresh, seasonal produce you have available, while still relying on pantry staples for a reliable and satisfying dish. Perfect for making in large batches, this soup can be easily frozen to provide a convenient and wholesome meal whenever the craving strikes. It's the perfect companion for a cozy Saturday indoors.
N/A
Servings
156
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons
chopped onion
1 cup
carrots
3 (small pieces)
celery stalks
2 (small pieces)
butternut squash
4 cups (cubed)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
chicken broth, low sodium
32 ounces
crushed tomatoes, low sodium
28 ounces
tomato paste
2 tablespoons
cannellini beans
8 ounces (washed, drained)
cold water
4 cups
oregano
1 teaspoon
basil
1 teaspoon
cinnamon
1 teaspoon
turmeric
1 teaspoon
tarragon
1 teaspoon
thyme
1 teaspoon
salt
3 teaspoons
crushed black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon
dried bay leaves
2
sugar
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
2
Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and butternut squash to the pot. Sauté the vegetables for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Mix in the oregano, basil, cinnamon, turmeric, tarragon, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until the veggies are well-coated.
5
Stir in the tomato paste until evenly distributed before adding the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and water. Mix everything together thoroughly.
6
Add the bay leaves and cannellini beans to the soup, stirring to combine.
7
Reduce the heat to low and allow the soup to simmer gently for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional sugar and salt if necessary. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
9
Serve piping hot, with optional additions like soup crackers, homemade croutons, or melting cheese. For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked pasta or rice prepared separately.
10
Enjoy your bowl of warmth and comfort, and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for longer preservation.
Nutrition Information
6.3g
Protein
363mg
Sodium
0mg
Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Harvest Vegetable Minestrone?
It is a comforting and flexible vegetable soup that combines fresh seasonal produce with pantry staples for a satisfying meal.
What vegetables are included in this minestrone?
The recipe includes chopped onions, carrots, celery, and cubed butternut squash.
How do I begin cooking the soup?
Start by heating olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat and sautéing the onions, carrots, celery, and squash.
How long should I sauté the initial vegetables?
Sauté the vegetables for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
When should I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic after the other vegetables have softened and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
What spices are used to season this soup?
The soup is seasoned with oregano, basil, cinnamon, turmeric, tarragon, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
What is the purpose of adding tomato paste?
Tomato paste is stirred in before the liquid ingredients to add depth and richness to the tomato base.
What liquids form the base of the broth?
The base consists of 32 ounces of low-sodium chicken broth, 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes, and 4 cups of cold water.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of cannellini beans that have been washed and drained.
How many bay leaves should I use?
The recipe recommends adding 2 dried bay leaves to the soup while it simmers.
How long does the minestrone need to simmer?
Reduce the heat to low and allow the soup to simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes.
Should the bay leaves be removed before eating?
Yes, you should remove the bay leaves from the pot before serving the soup.
How can I adjust the flavor at the end of cooking?
Taste the soup after simmering and adjust the seasoning with additional sugar or salt if necessary.
What are some recommended serving suggestions?
Serve the soup piping hot with optional additions like crackers, homemade croutons, or melting cheese.
Can I add pasta or rice to this minestrone?
Yes, for a heartier meal, you can add cooked pasta or rice that has been prepared separately.
How should I store leftover soup?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
Yes, this soup can be frozen for longer preservation, making it great for batch cooking.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 156 calories.
What is the protein content of this soup?
Each serving of this vegetable minestrone provides 6.3g of protein.
How much sodium is in the recipe?
The soup contains 363mg of sodium per serving.
Is there any cholesterol in this dish?
No, this recipe contains 0mg of cholesterol.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 3 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing the vegetables.
How much butternut squash do I need?
You will need 4 cups of cubed butternut squash.
Can I use regular chicken broth instead of low sodium?
The recipe suggests low-sodium chicken broth, but you can use regular broth and adjust the added salt accordingly.
What role does sugar play in the ingredients?
One teaspoon of sugar is used to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes and spices.
How many carrots are required?
The recipe calls for 3 carrots cut into small pieces.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
While tagged as vegetarian, the ingredients list chicken broth; to make it strictly vegetarian, substitute with vegetable broth.
When do I add the cannellini beans?
The beans are added to the pot along with the bay leaves just before the simmering process begins.
What is the preparation for the celery?
Use 2 celery stalks cut into small pieces.
Why is turmeric included in this minestrone?
Turmeric is included as part of the spice blend to add warmth and earthy flavor to the harvest vegetables.