to warm your winter soul..

So winter isn't actually here yet, or is it? It certainly felt like it had arrived today so we were more than pleased to be invited to share in the making of Zoes Minestrone Soup. This particular recipe was originally her mums however an individual spin has been put on it and may we simply say that it is superb!

Zoe's Minestrone Soup

olive oil

2 cloves garlic

1 large onion

1 zucchini

1 cup potato (peeled and diced)

1 cup pumpkin (peeled and diced)

2 tins chopped tomatoes

1 tin cannellini beans

1 tin red kidney beans or butter beans

1 ham hock

3 litres of beef stock (or enough to cover ham hock)

300 grams silver beet or chopped spinah leaves 

Heat 1 tbls of olive oil in a large pot with the onion and celery and cook until slightly translucent. Add beef stock and ham hock, bring to the boil and then simmer for 1 and a half hours. Remove the ham hock and cut meat from the bone. Shred meat and return to the saucepan. Add tomatoes, beans & potato and simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Add zucchini and pumpkin, return to the boil and then simmer for another 30 minutes. Add chopped silver beet and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper if necessary, top with chopped parsley and grated parmasen and serve with warm crusty bread.

Optional addition - 1 cup of pasta or cheese tortellini.