GARBANZO MINESTRONE

Garbanzo Minestrone image

Provided by Food Network

Time 3h20m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 cups dried garbanzo beans, soaked in water with 1 teaspoon baking soda for 24 hours and drained
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 pound pork rind, boiled for 20 minutes and cut into thin strips
Approximately 10 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 branch rosemary, chopped
Leaves from 2 stalks of celery, hold ribs aside
1 baking potato, peeled and cut in half
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup broccoli rabe, chopped
2 leeks, white part only, sliced
5 cabbage leaves, chiffonade
Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

Put beans in a stock pot. Add extra virgin olive oil and flour. Stir mixture and cover. Add pork rind. Cover mixture with water. Cook for 1 1/2 hours over medium-low heat. Skim off impurities if necessary.
Saute onions, garlic, sage, rosemary and celery leaves in 1 tablespoon olive oil over low flame, about 10 minutes. Add them to pot of garbanzo beans after beans have cooked for 1 1/2 hours. Chop celery stalks and add to pot. Add potato, carrots, broccoli rabe, leeks and cabbage to pot. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Skim to remove impurities if necessary. Add additional water if soup is too thick. Soup is done when beans are tender and potatoes are no longer solid. Season with salt and pepper. Soup can be served with olive oil, toasted bread and Parmesan cheese if desired.