Minestrone ala Barricks

10 servings 

Serve with hot, crusty Italian bread or my Perfect Garlic Bread.

• 1/2 pound sweet italian turkey sausage
• 1/2 pound hot italian turkey sausage
• 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Broth
• 3 large onions, diced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 bunch carrot, diced
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 to 3 zucchini, sliced
• 1 28 oz. can canned tomatoes,
     italian style, including liquid
• 2 14 oz. cans fat-free beef broth / boullion
• 1 small head cabbage, finely shredded
•    salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 16 oz. can canned white kidney beans,
     including liquid
• 1 16 oz. can red kidney beans,
     including liquid
• 1/2 cup White rice
•    freshly grated parmesan cheese
•    fresh parsley, chopped

In a 8 quart stockpot, brown and scramble both sausages (sans casings) in olive oil and vegetable broth. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and basil; cook 5 minutes.

Add zucchili, tomatoes (with liquid), bouillon, cabbage, salt and pepper. Bring to boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.

Add beans (with liquid) and White rice (brown rice needs a lot more cooking time). Cook 20 minutes.

Serve, topped with parmesan cheese and parsley

Bon appetit!