When the cold days arrive, all we want is to tuck ourselves in a blanket, get cozy in our bed, and enjoy some comfort in a bowl. This ultimate Italian pasta soup is so satisfying and filling that you would want to make it repeatedly. What surprises me is that it doesn’t need many spices for flavors, just some veggies are enough to tickle your taste buds. Best of all – it is a ONE-POT dish. Wuhooo.
This soup is wholesome, nutritious, and gives you warmth. It is loaded with vegetables, herbs, beans, and pasta which makes it quite filling and fulfilling too. The herbs do not just enhance the flavors and aroma but also the antioxidants that we need in this changing weather. Herbs are highly rich in antioxidants and help in boosting our immunity and fight infections.
Make it! Slurp it!
Story Time
We never tried this soup but one day I was going out to get some groceries to make our favorite Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup. On my way, I met my neighbors. We started talking and I told them that I baked Focaccia bread today which I was going to enjoy with some warm tomato soup. They suggested that since Focaccia is an Italian bread, why don’t I try it with some Italian Minestrone Soup? It would make a better combination. And the way they talked about the soup tempted me to try it right away.
I started looking at the recipe and the ingredients and I got very excited to try it. I had most of the ingredients in my fridge and I actually didn’t need to buy anything for that. See, that’s the beauty of the soup. You can use any seasonal vegetable and whip up a nice, warm, and filling soup for yourself. It makes a perfect dinner on some cozy winter evenings. I would suggest trying it today with whatever veggies lying in your fridge.
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What is Minestrone Soup?
Minestrone soup is a simple, thick, and delicious Italian Soup. The beauty of this soup is that there is no set recipe. You can use any seasonal vegetable that you have in your fridge and make it. The main ingredient is – tomatoes. You need a lot of it. Apart from that, it has got some Pasta (or Rice) and some kind of beans which makes it a full meal. Beans are a good addition to this soup because they add a unique flavor and bite to this soup. Another main ingredient that enhances the flavor of this soup is – Vegetable Stock or broth (or any broth of choice)
To summarise, below are the main ingredients for the vegetarian Minestrone Soup:
- Seasonal Vegetables like celery, broccoli, carrot, peas, spinach, zucchini, etc.
- Tomatoes, a lot of it.
- Beans like kidney beans, cannellini beans, etc.
- Pasta
- Vegetable Stock
- Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, etc.
This soup will make you happy. Nothing quite like it, to warm you up to your core. I even added a good amount of basil leaves because tomatoes and basil are like best buddies. They perform well when they are together. And the best of all is enjoying this soup with some fresh homemade Focaccia bread. Perfect combination. You don’t even need to toast the bread. Just make it fresh, make this soup and you are all set. I bet after having this in cold winters, you will have a happy mood and a good night’s sleep (if consumed in dinner).
What is vegetable broth?
Vegetable broth is also known as vegetable stock. It is a vegetable flavor-infused liquid. All kinds of vegetables (and fruits), herbs, whole spices, and salt are added to the water. It is cooked on a simmer for 1 to 2 hours till the veggies infuse all the flavors and aroma in the water. The longer you cook, the longer it lasts in the refrigerator. Traditionally it is cooked for a couple of hours. The beauty of the recipe is that there is no set recipe because you can make it with whatever vegetable is available in your home.
I always make it using veggie peels or vegetable discards like the outer cover of cauliflower, peels of onion, garlic, carrot, potato, etc. I even add the veggies that I haven’t used and that’s lying in my refrigerator. Sometimes, I even add fruits like apples or pears. You can even saute the whole spices in some oil and then add all the vegetables and water. This is a very flexible recipe. So, just experiment and see what comes out after an hour or two of brewing.
Why use vegetable broth instead of water?
In this recipe, I suggested using homemade vegetable broth instead of water. Using vegetable broth takes the flavors to another level. It makes the soup even tastier. Of course, you can use water also but I feel water just adjusts the consistency of the soup but doesn’t add any depth of flavor.
Making vegetable broth is quite easy too. I make it using all the vegetable peels which I usually discard. In cold seasons, I keep a bottle of vegetable broth ready at all times because we make soups, Khow suey, Thai curry, and ramen every other day during the fall (autumn) and winter seasons. If you are also like us, keep some vegetable broth ready in your refrigerator at all times.
What are the different kinds of pumpkins available?
There are many kinds of pumpkins available in the market during the fall or autumn season. The options include Golden Nugget, Butternut Pumpkin, Kabocha Squash, Cinderella, Sugar Pie, etc. But obviously, different regions grow different kinds of pumpkins depending on the temperature, soil conditions, or other factors. And they have different names also in different regions. For example, Butternut Pumpkin is also known as Butternut Squash. So, don’t get confused.
For this soup recipe, I would suggest trying it with any kind of pumpkin that you can find. You can use a golden nugget (Hokkaido Pumpkin) or butternut pumpkin. Both of them give amazing results. You simply can not go wrong with this recipe and with such a humble vegetable.
Which season is best for pumpkin?
Pumpkin is available during the fall and early winter seasons (or autumn season). You can easily get them in the month of September till November. Make use of this delicious vegetable when it is in season. It is nutritious and good to strengthen your immune system.
What are the benefits of sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet and can be considered a superfood. The diet of Okinawans, historically one of the longest-living populations, was centered around sweet potatoes. They are protective against cancer, have the greatest nutritional benefits, rich in antioxidants, and are a good source of vitamins, potassium, and proteins. This soup recipe is a great way to include this gem of a vegetable in our regular diet.
The darker-colored sweet potatoes have more anti-oxidants. That means the brighter orange flesh of sweet potatoes is more nutritious and the purple one is even better than that.
What is the best way to cook sweet potatoes?
The best way to cook sweet potatoes is by boiling them. The anti-oxidant power of sweet potatoes is most retained by boiling them instead of steaming, roasting, or baking them. Boiling causes less blood sugar rise compared to baking or roasting. Baking even reduces its nutritional value.
Also, to get the most nutrients, do not peel sweet potatoes. The peels have nearly 10 times more antioxidant power than the flesh. Sweet potatoes are so healthy and nutritious that whichever way makes you eat them more, eat that way. The only exception is deep-frying them.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes. Of course. All the ingredients used in this recipe are vegan and plant-based.
Although the traditional recipe is garnished with some grated parmesan cheese. But I don’t add it. It tastes incredibly delicious even without any cheese. Apart from that, all the ingredients that are used in a traditional recipe are plant-based.
A good substitute for parmesan cheese is Nutritional Yeast because it adds a nice cheese flavor to the soup. Nutritional yeast is the vegan substitute for cheese for those who do not prefer any kind of cheese or dairy products.
Ingredients Used – for your quick reference
Cooking Method – some photos for your quick reference
How to store pumpkin and sweet potato minestrone soup?
This pumpkin and sweet potato minestrone soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat while serving.
You can even freeze this soup for around 2 to 3 weeks. I don’t prefer the freezing option but if you have time constraints then go with it. Reheat while serving. You can also thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator and then heat it while serving.
Easy Swaps
- Herbs – Use any herb that you have – fresh or dried.
- Vegetable Broth – You can make it at home or buy it from the store. Boullion cube can also be used. To make it easier, use water instead.
- Nutritional Yeast – Usually parmesan cheese is used. But it is a dairy product.
- Pasta – Use any kind – penne, spiral, macaroni, etc.
More Fall or Winter Recipes for Dinner – just as good
- Sweet Potato and Oats Cutlets
- Fall Special Pumpkin and Red Pepper Soup
- Vegan Red Thai Curry
- Veg Khow Suey
- Immune Boosting Red Lentil Soup
Now grab all the ingredients because you are all ready to make this delicious, comforting, nutritious, vegetarian Minestrone soup at home. You can make it for lunch or dinner. It makes a quick and easy recipe for the days when you do not feel like cooking anything and still want something comforting at home.
This recipe is just perfect when the weather gets slightly colder during the fall or autumn season and even for the cozy winter season. It’s a MUST-TRY!
Happy Cooking 🙂
Love from us
Richa
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