Sometimes, all we need is a bowl of soup—to feed a family, to clean out the vegetable bin, or to add warmth to a cold evening. Minestrone is a classic Italian vegetable soup. It has a tomato-infused broth that’s bright and fresh, studded with hearty white beans to provide substance, and often includes small pasta. It’s an all-year soup, boosted by the season’s vegetables. Carrots, celery, and onion are a reliable year-round trio that provide the aromatics for the broth.
In the cold season, add chopped root vegetables, winter squash, or potatoes; in warmer weather, go lighter and greener with fresh beans and summer squash. No matter what you choose to add, always include a hunk of cheese rind to simmer and impart umami richness to the broth.
