Best 5 Minestrone With Giant White Beans And Winter Squash Recipes

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Indulge in the hearty flavors of Minestrone, a comforting Italian soup brimming with wholesome ingredients. This classic dish is a symphony of vegetables, beans, and pasta, simmered in a rich broth that bursts with Mediterranean aromas. Our collection of Minestrone recipes offers a delightful variety, catering to diverse dietary preferences and culinary tastes. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore Minestrone with Giant White Beans and Winter Squash, a hearty and flavorful option that showcases the best of seasonal produce. Discover a Vegan Minestrone bursting with colorful vegetables and a rich, flavorful broth. Savor the simplicity of Traditional Minestrone, a classic recipe that embodies the essence of Italian comfort food. Delight in the vibrant flavors of Tuscan Minestrone, featuring a medley of fresh herbs and vegetables. And for a taste of rustic Italian cooking, try our Minestrone with Sausage and Kale, a hearty and satisfying dish that is sure to warm your soul.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ALICE WATERS'S SEASONAL MINESTRONE



Alice Waters's Seasonal Minestrone image

Alice Waters often recommends that cooks master a good minestrone. It's communal and seasonal, two pillars on which she has built her cooking career. This summer recipe came from the cookbook that is her top seller: "The Art of Simple Food." It uses the best of the season's green beans, tomatoes and squash. In the spring, fresh peas, asparagus and spinach would make a good vegetable trio, with some fennel standing in for the carrot in the sofrito. In the fall, cubes of butternut squash, a small can of tomatoes and a bunch of kale would star, with rosemary and a little chopped sage instead of thyme for seasoning. Winter might bring a soup built from turnips, potatoes and cabbage. If the turnips have greens, add them, too. Start with a large pot that has a heavy bottom. Always cook the vegetables through, about 10 minutes. They should look good enough to eat on their own. Add the beans about 10 minutes before serving. A cup or two of cooked pasta can be stirred in at the last minute. Don't overcook the pasta. The olive oil and cheese garnish should be added once the soup is in the bowls. Ms. Waters likes to pass those at the table, once everyone is served. Pesto makes a lovely garnish, too, and gives a garlicky, herbal punch to the soup.

Provided by Kim Severson

Categories     dinner, for two, lunch, soups and stews

Time 2h45m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup dried cannellini or other white beans
¼ cup olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
5 thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 small leek, white part only, diced
½ pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
1 medium zucchini, cut into small dice
2 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 cups spinach, coarsely chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Pesto, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Soak the beans overnight in a large pot, covered by several inches of water.
  • The next day, simmer the beans 2 hours or until tender. Drain and set aside, reserving the cooking water.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook for about 10 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Add the garlic, thyme, bay leaf and salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes longer.
  • Add 3 cups water and bring to a low boil. When boiling, add the leek and green beans. After 5 minutes, add the zucchini and tomatoes. After 15 minutes, add the spinach and beans and cook for 5 more minutes. If the soup is too thick, add water (reserved bean water is good).
  • Remove the bay leaf and bare thyme sticks and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve in bowls, each garnished with grated Parmesan cheese or pesto.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 187, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 25 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 393 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

MINESTRONE WITH GIANT WHITE BEANS AND WINTER SQUASH



Minestrone With Giant White Beans and Winter Squash image

The inspiration for this minestrone was a bag of Rancho Gordo Royal Corona beans that I have had in my pantry for a while. Royal Coronas are large white European runner beans that are similar to Greek gigandes but bigger, richer and sturdier. They are about twice the size of a lima bean and, unlike many other large white beans, the skin doesn't slip off when you soak them. If you substitute limas I would not soak the beans, but if you use the Royal Coronas, do soak them to shorten the cooking time. The beans are downright meaty and the soup is a hearty one. I didn't even feel the need to add pasta or rice to this substantial minestrone.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, lunch, main course

Time 2h

Yield 6 generous servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

6 ounces (1 cup) giant white beans such as Royal Coronas, gigandes (giant white beans), or large dried limas, washed, picked over and soaked for 4 hours or longer (no need to soak limas or large white beans)
1/2 medium onion
1 bay leaf
2 quarts water
Salt to taste
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large or 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (1/2 inch dice or smaller if desired)
1 celery stalk, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 or 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved, cleaned well and sliced thin
3 or 4 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1 14-ounce can chopped tomatoes, with juice
A bouquet garni made with a Parmesan rind, a bay leaf and a couple of sprigs each parsley and thyme, tied into one of the leek leaves if desired
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound winter squash, diced
Lots of chopped flat leaf parsley or basil (or both)
Freshly grated Parmesan for serving

Steps:

  • First simmer beans. Drain soaked beans and place in a large saucepan with 2 quarts water, halved onion, crushed garlic and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Add salt to taste (I usually use 1 teaspoon salt per quart of water) and continue to simmer another 30 minutes. Beans should be almost tender. Remove from heat and use tongs to remove and discard onion half, garlic cloves and bay leaf.
  • While beans are simmering you can make tomato base. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, and add onion, carrot and celery. Add a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until vegetables are just about tender, about 5 minutes, and add parsley and leeks. Cook, stirring, until leeks are slightly wilted, about 3 minutes, and stir in garlic along with another generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, just until the garlic smells fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and stir in tomatoes with their juice and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for about 10 minutes, until tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and smell fragrant. Remove from heat until beans are ready.
  • Add beans and their broth to tomato base, stir together, add bouquet garni and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Add winter squash and continue to simmer for another 30 to 45 minutes, until squash and beans are very tender. Taste, adjust salt, and add freshly ground pepper to taste.
  • Just before serving heat through and stir in a generous handful of chopped fresh parsley or basil, or a mix of the two. Serve, topping each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 211, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 35 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1321 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

WINTER MINESTRONE AND GARLIC BRUSCHETTA



Winter Minestrone and Garlic Bruschetta image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Good olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, 1/2-inch-diced
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
2 cups (1/2-inch-diced) carrots (3 carrots)
2 cups (1/2-inch-diced) celery (3 stalks)
2 1/2 cups (1/2-inch-diced) peeled butternut squash
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
One 26-ounce can or box diced tomatoes, such as Pomi
6 to 8 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups cooked small pasta, such as tubetti
8 to 10 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup good dry white wine
2 tablespoons store-bought pesto
Garlic Bruschetta, recipe follows
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
1 French baguette
Good olive oil
1 clove garlic, cut in half lengthwise

Steps:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the pancetta and cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add the onions, carrots, celery, squash, garlic, and thyme and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the tomatoes, 6 cups of the chicken stock, the bay leaf, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Discard the bay leaf. Add the beans and cooked pasta and heat through. The soup should be quite thick but if it's too thick, I add more chicken stock.
  • Just before serving, reheat the soup, add the spinach, and toss with 2 big spoons (like tossing a salad). Cook just until the leaves are wilted. Stir in the white wine and pesto. Depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock, add another teaspoon or two of salt to taste. Serve large shallow bowls of soup with a bruschetta on top. Sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, drizzle with olive oil and serve hot.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the baguette at a 45 degree angle in 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and bake for 6 minutes, until lightly toasted. Take the slices out of the oven and rub the surface of each one with the cut clove of garlic.

GARDEN MINESTRONE



Garden Minestrone image

At Italian restaurants, I always order minestrone. After doing many trial-and-error batches, I developed a hearty veggie soup my whole family craves-kids and all. -Hillery Martin, Junction City, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 50m

Yield 10 servings (about 4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 tablespoons olive oil
7 medium carrots, chopped
7 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium zucchini, chopped
2 yellow summer squash (about 3 cups), chopped
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained, divided
1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 cartons (32 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup uncooked ditalini or other small pasta
12 cups chopped fresh spinach (12 ounces)

Steps:

  • In a 6-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add carrots, celery and onion; cook until tender, 6-8 minutes. Add zucchini, yellow squash and seasonings; cook and stir until squash is crisp-tender, 4-6 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Mash 1/2 cup beans with a fork. Stir mashed beans and tomatoes into vegetables. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10-12 minutes., Stir in pasta and remaining beans; return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, 7-9 minutes or just until pasta is tender. Discard bay leaves. Stir in spinach; cook until spinach is wilted., Freeze option: Add remaining beans but not pasta and spinach. Cool soup; freeze in freezer containers for up to 3 months. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Place in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Stir in pasta; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, for 7-9 minutes or until pasta is tender. Discard bay leaves. Add spinach and cook until wilted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 209 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 929mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 12g protein.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE



Classic Minestrone image

This famous Italian soup has been much imitated around the world with very different results. The homemade version is a delicious revelation and is also extremely healthy, as it has pasta, beans and fresh vegetables. Try to make the minestrone a day early and refrigerate as this improves the flavors. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Provided by Anonymous

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Vegetable Soup Recipes     Minestrone

Time 1h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 leek, sliced
2 carrots, chopped
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
4 ounces green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 ½ quarts vegetable stock
1 pound chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, with liquid
¼ cup elbow macaroni
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Add leek, carrots, zucchini, green beans and celery. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
  • Stir in the stock, tomatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil, then replace the lid, and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the cannellini beans with liquid and pasta. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Carbohydrate 44.5 g, Fat 12 g, Fiber 10.1 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 470.9 mg, Sugar 7.8 g

Tips:

  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will give your minestrone a more complex flavor and texture. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, and winter squash.
  • Don't be afraid to use frozen or canned vegetables. They're just as nutritious as fresh vegetables, and they can save you time and money.
  • Add some beans or lentils to your minestrone. This will make it more filling and nutritious. Some good options include cannellini beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, or lentils.
  • Use a flavorful broth. This will help to enhance the flavor of your minestrone. You can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even beef broth.
  • Season your minestrone to taste. Add salt, pepper, garlic, and other herbs and spices to taste.
  • Serve your minestrone with a side of crusty bread or crackers. This will help to soak up the delicious broth.

Conclusion:

Minestrone is a delicious and versatile soup that can be made with a variety of ingredients. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and it's also a healthy and affordable meal. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give minestrone a try. You won't be disappointed!

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