Winter minestrone with passatelli balls

As the winter approaches, it’s time to start preparing for colder weather and comforting dishes to warm us up. One such dish is the winter minestrone with balls, a classic Italian soup that combines the flavors and textures of various vegetables and pasta. This hearty and satisfying soup is perfect for cold days, and easy to make with simple ingredients.

To begin, gather your ingredients for the winter minestrone. You will need carrots, celery, leeks, onions, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, Swiss chard, chicken broth, cannellini beans, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Saute the vegetables in a large pot until they are soft and fragrant, then add the chicken broth and seasonings. Let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

While the soup is simmering, start on the passatelli balls. This traditional Italian pasta is made with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and lemon zest. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until they form a dough-like consistency, then roll them into small balls. Drop the passatelli balls into the soup about 10 minutes before serving, and let them cook for a few minutes until they rise to the surface.

The result is a delicious winter minestrone soup with passatelli balls that is both hearty and comforting. The soup is rich in flavor, thanks to the combination of vegetables and the addition of Italian seasoning. The passatelli balls add a unique texture to the soup, resembling small dumplings that are soft and chewy.

What’s great about this is that it is versatile and can be adapted to suit your preferences. You can add more or less vegetables, adjust the seasoning, and even swap out the cannellini beans for another type of legume. Additionally, you can make a vegetarian version of this soup by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omitting the Parmesan cheese in the passatelli balls.

Winter minestrone with passatelli balls is not only delicious but also nutritious. The variety of vegetables used in the soup provides an array of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. The cannellini beans are high in protein and are an excellent source of iron and folate. The passatelli balls, although containing breadcrumbs, are also a good source of protein, and the addition of Parmesan cheese adds a boost of calcium.

In conclusion, winter minestrone with passatelli balls is the perfect soup recipe to make during the colder months. It is a comforting and hearty dish that will warm you up from the inside out. This recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients, and it is also versatile, allowing you to adapt it to your tastes. Give this soup a try and enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal that is perfect for the winter season.