ITALIAN BEAN SOUP WITH PASTA

Italian Bean Soup With Pasta image

Provided by internetnut

Time 2h30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup great northern beans or 1 small white beans, rinsed and drained
6 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove (minced or pressed)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup thinly sliced pepperoni
1 lb smoked ham hock (about)
1 lb tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup small shell pasta
salt
grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps:

Place beans in a bowl; add 2 cups of the water, let stand overnight (or, bring to boiling in a medium saucepan, boil briskly 2 minutes., remove from heat, let stand, covered, 1 hour).
In a 5-6-quart kettle heat oil. Cook carrot, celery, and onion until onion is soft. Mix in garlic, parsley, and pepperoni. Add ham hock, tomatoes, (coarsely chopped, with liquid), basil, bay leaf, beans and liquid and remaining cups water.
Bring to boiling. Cover, reduce heat. Simmer until beans are tender and ham separates from bone, about 2 hours. Remove ham hock; discard bones, fat, skin and bay leaf. Return ham in chunks. Skim, discard fat.
Remove 1 cup of the beans. Press through food mill (or puree in blender with a little soup liquid). To soup add pasta shells. Bring to boiling. Cook, uncovered, stirring, until pasta is tender, 12-15 minutes.
Season to taste with salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 226.4, Fat 13.2, SaturatedFat 3.5, Cholesterol 19.6, Sodium 335.5, Carbohydrate 18.9, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 3.9, Protein 8.9