Minestrone with Sausage & Beans

Some say the origins of this zuppa goes back to 30 CE. Many, as you might imagine many are the versions of this peasant dish, a mainstay of cucina povera. A minestre is a soup, the name derived from the verb, to serve — minestrare. The suffix –one, augments a simple minestre to a big, hearty soup, a minestrone. Like the difference between a tortellini and its big brother, a tortelloni. The major categories are minestrone a crudo and minestrone col soffritto — the difference being whether or not you sauté the vegetables (in oil, lard or with pancetta or pork rind) prior to adding stock. Almost all include onions, celery, carrots, tomatoes and legumes, gently boiled in stock. Some add cooked pasta, some meat — some both.

Great on a cold blustery night, even better the next day.

1. 1. In a pot large enough to hold all of the ingredients, heat the oil and sauté the sausage, stirring frequently to break up the meat, until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

2. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften. Add the tomatoes cook gently for 5 minutes or so. Add reserved juice, cook another few minutes.

3. Add the stock, bring to a boil, stir in the sausage and beans. Lower to a simmer and cook five minutes or so. Add spinach, simmer until it wilts, about 3 minutes.

4. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve the soup sprinkled with grated cheese, and pass more along with the pepper mill.