Description

This Spring Green Minestrone is a vibrant and hearty vegetable soup packed with fresh spring greens and wholesome ingredients. Perfect for a light yet nourishing meal, it combines garden-fresh vegetables like zucchini, spinach, green beans, and peas in a savory vegetable broth, gently simmered to preserve their color and texture. Garnished with fragrant fresh herbs, this minestrone is easy to prepare, wholesome, and bursting with fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Vegetables

1 unit onion, chopped (yellow or sweet onion)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 units carrots, diced
2 units celery stalks, diced
1 unit zucchini, diced
2 cups spinach or kale, chopped
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut
1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)

Liquids & Seasonings

2 tablespoons olive oil (extra-virgin for best flavor)
4 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh herbs (basil, parsley), for garnish

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Instructions

Preparation: Gather and prepare all the vegetables by chopping the onion, mincing the garlic, dicing the carrots, celery, and zucchini, chopping the spinach or kale, trimming and cutting the green beans, and measuring the peas and seasonings.
Sauté the Aromatics: Warm the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot until shimmering. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring frequently for about 3–4 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic fragrant.
Cook Carrots and Celery: Stir in the diced carrots and celery, cooking for an additional 5 minutes while tossing occasionally to soften them slightly.
Add Broth and Boil: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze and prevent sticking.
Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Mix in the zucchini, chopped spinach or kale, green beans, peas, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant and fresh in appearance.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped herbs like basil or parsley for an aromatic finish.

Notes

Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control salt levels in the soup.
Fresh herbs like basil and parsley add brightness as a garnish—add just before serving to preserve their flavor.
Spinach wilts quickly, so if preferred, kale will hold its shape longer in the soup.
For a heartier version, add cooked beans or pasta of choice.
Adjust salt and pepper to taste after simmering to avoid over-seasoning.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian