Say minestrone means punishment, diet,
something that evokes childhood,
when facing the steaming plate were only grimaces.
Yet this dish is then
revalued, when you begin to appreciate vegetables,
the set of flavors, colors, the aroma of thyme and rosemary
make it a poor dish but full of health!

I want to tell you a little story related
the birth of the soup:
Many, but many, but many years ago
there was a powerful king
who had a very beautiful daughter,
but always pouting.
so one day he decided to marry her to those who would
the best gift, such as to make her happy and to color
her pale cheeks.
They came with their gifts, principles from all sides
determined to conquer the beautiful princess.
For a whole day of each paraded the real earth, but no one liked the king …
was exasperated.
Finally came a boy, beautiful but poor, but  extremely positive.
Eager to know the princess, but not possessing
nothing precious, had gathered in the countryside,
all the herbs and vegetables that was on its way.
He arrived in front of the princess, who at first intrigued, then angry for so little royal gift,
became red with anger, the king finally seeing the color appear more pale cheeks of her daughter,
became curious and asked the young man to be able to use the kitchen.
He came to the kitchens and under the gaze mocking cooks, accustomed to other ingredients,
cut all vegetables and put to cook in a large pot,
crushed olives and put aside the golden juice, oil, to season
the soup.
Meanwhile the princess walked up and down the building to cool down the anger and walking
the walking became hungry.
Suddenly he heard an inviting scent that smelled of sun,
field, grass, vegetable gardens, woods,
in short, everything that is in the open and in secret soil.
He went into the dining room where he was waiting his father the king,
at the table there were big bowls of soup and steaming fragrant, seasoned with
a little olive oil, never tasted it.
The king asked the young man: “What is this,” he promptly replied with a bow:
“Called minestrone and makes strong as a lion,
satiates and is wonderfully fragrant as his beautiful daughter … ”
The princess amused by so much boldness joyous and having an appetite and ate her cheeks
came coloured of pleasure and warmth.
Needless to say, the young man married the princess and they lived happily ever after.
Since that day, the soup appears on every table in Italy,
because it is a clever mix of vegetables of each region, patience and imagination.

Recommended wine:
Lugana Brolettino Magnum, a wine decided
fresh and elegant,
definitely a wine with structure.

And now … LIGHT THE FIRES!

INGREDIENTS:

-2 potatoes

-2 carrots

-1 onion

-1 Celery

-1 Bunch of chard

-Some Leaf of kale

-A Bunch of spinach

-4 Roman courgettes

4 tablespoons of white beans

-salt to taste

-40 G of rice per person

-Oil Evo qb

-Prezzemolo qb

-Timo qb

-Rosmarino qb

-2 tomatoes

WEAR THE APRON, WASH YOUR HANDS, BEGIN!

First prepare a vegetable broth,
with water, carrot, celery and onion.
Wash and cut all the vegetables into small pieces,
Fry onion celery, carrot and parsley,
add the two tomatoes, diced and seeded,
at this point you can add all the vegetables previously prepared,
pour over 2 ladles of vegetable broth and
cook covered over low heat for about 50 minutes.
Prepare a bunch of thyme and rosemary,
tie with kitchen string
and tie it to the handle of the lid, drop in the
soup for you to release the scent.
At 10 minutes from the end, add the beans already cooked and the rice, cook
adding broth if it were to serve.
Serve  it with some toasted crouton …
do not forget the little oil … is the final touch
that can not  miss.

Et voila … a simple dish but full of health!