SUMMER MINESTRONE AL PESTO

Summer Minestrone al Pesto image

Some vegetable soups are complex and long-simmered. This light, brothy one brims with full-flavored summer vegetables for a minestrone that comes together in a half an hour or so. If you don't have a vegetable garden, look to the farmers' market for the freshest, sweetest produce. For a warm-weather lunch or supper, the simplicity of this soup is very appealing.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories dinner, lunch, weekday, soups and stews, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced, about 1 1/2 cups
Salt and pepper
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Pinch of crushed red pepper
Splash of white wine (optional)
2 large very ripe sweet tomatoes, chopped (about 2 cups)
3 or 4 zucchini or summer squash, chopped into roughly 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
1/2 pound romano beans, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths (about 2 cups)
2 cups small, dry pasta, such as pennette or orecchiette
1/2 pound small green beans, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper
2 cups basil leaves, loosely packed, washed and dried
1 cup parsley leaves, loosely packed, washed and dried
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Steps:

Set a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat, and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and just beginning to color, 5 or 6 minutes.
Add garlic, bay leaf, tomato paste and red pepper. Cook, stirring, for another minute, then add wine, if using, and tomatoes, and bring to a brisk simmer.
Add 8 cups water and a good pinch of salt and let mixture return to a brisk simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, then taste for seasoning. The broth should be well seasoned before the vegetables go in.
Make the pesto: As the broth simmers, pound the garlic and salt to a paste in a large mortar. Beginning with a few basil leaves at a time, pound basil to a paste, then add parsley leaves and a little salt. Continue to pound until all the basil and parsley have been pounded into a coarse green paste. (Alternatively, many people may wish to make the pesto in a food processor.)
Transfer to a serving bowl and whisk in olive oil and Parmesan. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Set pesto aside covered with a thin layer of oil or with plastic film pressed against its surface to prevent oxidation.
Add the zucchini, romano beans and pasta to the simmering broth and cook 7 to 8 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Add green beans and cook for a minute or 2.
Ladle soup into bowls, topping each with a dollop of pesto. Pass more grated Parmesan at the table.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 789, UnsaturatedFat 44 grams, Carbohydrate 65 grams, Fat 54 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 1273 milligrams, Sugar 13 grams