Minestrone

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 can green beans
• 6-8 cups water
• ½ head cabbage, chopped
• 2 15-ounce cans tomatoes
• ½ 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach (optional)
• 1 small zucchini, diced
• 1 teaspoon each beef and chicken bouillon
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon basil
• ½ teaspoon rosemary
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 1½ cups cooked beans or 2 15-ounce cans beans, drained (I like some combination of kidney, small red, great northern, or garbanzo)
• 1 cup pasta shells (optional)

Instructions

1. In 6 quart or larger pot, cook sausage. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook about 20 min., stirring occasionally.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling.
3. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 40 or more minutes or until all vegetables are very tender.
4. Add pasta if desired. Cook 10-15 minutes longer.

(Adapted from my mom's recipe.)