Name: Butternut Chickpea Minestrone
Prep time: 18 min
Cook time: 42 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion (small dice); 1 medium carrot (small dice); 1 tbsp minced fresh sage; 2 tsp minced fresh thyme; 0.5 tsp dried chili flakes (or to taste); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tbsp tomato paste; 3 cup small-diced butternut squash (about 0.5 of a medium butternut); 1 medium zucchini (small dice); 1 can chickpeas (15 oz, drained and rinsed); null null salt & ground black pepper (to taste); 1 can crushed tomatoes (29 oz); 7 cup vegetable stock; 0.5 cup dry, small pasta ((orzo works well)); 1 bunch chard (small, chopped); null null vegan parmesan (sprinkles); null null dried chili flakes (extra, to taste); null null black pepper (freshly ground); null null fresh bread

Instructions

Show units in method

1

In a large, heavy pot (5.25 quart or larger), heat the olive oil (1 tbsp) over medium-high heat. Add the yellow onion (1 medium) and carrot (1 medium) to the pot and stir. Sauté until onions are starting to become translucent and soft.
2

Add the minced fresh sage (1 tbsp), minced fresh thyme (2 tsp), dried chili flakes (0.5 tsp), garlic (3 cloves), and tomato paste (1 tbsp) to the pot and stir for 30 seconds until the tomato paste is evenly distributed and the garlic is fragrant. Then, add the small-diced butternut squash (3 cups), zucchini (1 medium), and chickpeas (1 can). Stir to combine. Season generously with [salt & ground black pepper].
3

Add the crushed tomatoes (1 can) and vegetable stock (7 cups) to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until the butternut squash pieces are tender (20-23 minutes). Add the dry, small pasta (0.5 cup) and continue simmering until tender and cooked through (about 10 minutes).
4

Add the bunch chard (1 small) to the soup and place the lid on the pot. Simmer until the chard is wilted and bright green (about 2 minutes). Check the soup for seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with drizzles of olive oil, [extra dried chili flakes], freshly ground [black pepper], sprinkles of [vegan parmesan], or with [fresh bread].