Minestrone

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup dry great northern beans
• 1/4 cup chopped carrot
• 1/4 chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon granules
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 7 1/2-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cabbage
• 1/2 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 ounce thin spaghetti, broken (about 2 tablespoons), or 2 tablespoons tiny shell macaroni
• 2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled

Instructions

1. Rinse beans. In a medium saucepan combine beans and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. (Or, skip boiling the water and soak beans overnight in covered pan.) Drain and rinse beans.
2. In the same saucepan combine beans, 2 1/2 cups fresh water, carrot, celery, onion, bouillon granules, garlic, basil, oregano, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 hours or till beans are tender.
3. Add undrained tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini, and spaghetti. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more or till tender. Stir in bacon. If desired, serve with grated Parmesan cheese.