Minestrone Soup

Contributor: LakshmiKalyani

I tried this recipe from net last week and it came out very well....

Ingredients
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)
* 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
* 1/2 cup frozen cut italian green beans
* 1/4 cup minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
* 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
* 4 cups vegetable broth (Swanson is good *note: Do not use chicken broth!*)
* 2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained - i used 1 can only
* 2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or great northern beans, drained - i used 1 can alone
* 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
* 1/2 cup carrot, julienned or shredded
* 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
* 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
* 3 cups hot water ---- I used more water for thinner consistency.
* 4 cups fresh baby spinach
* 1/2 cup small shell pasta

Directions
1 Heat three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.
2. Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.
3. Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.
4. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.
6. Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings