Sicilian Vegetable Soup Recipes

Steps:

• In a large stockpot (16 quart minimum / 20 quart recommended) heat olive oil under fairly low to medium heat.
• "Sweat" onion, celery, green pepper and some salt (to draw off moisture) for perhaps 30 minutes -- this is lower than browning, and makes the veggies somewhat translucent. I covered, and mixed every few minutes to prevent browning.
• Add carrots, garlic, some white pepper and some black pepper, and continue to heat under "sweat" conditions while mixing now and then.
• Add chicken stock, chicken breasts, tomatoes and potatoes -- and of course some more white pepper and black pepper.
• Cover and simmer on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours (or use crock pot?).
• Remove chicken and let cool and stand to shred.
• Add chopped parsley and return the shredded chicken to the soup.
• Salt to taste at this point, and add more white and black pepper if your tongue is not twitching a bit when you sample. ;-).
• Simmer while cooking ditalini (or other stubby pasta).
• Serve soup over cooked pasta to taste.
• Note: Like many soups, this may be better made the day before and then served when needed. We will freeze some for ready-made meals and I think it will work out well.

Steps:

• In a large slow cooker, combine lentils, vegetables, and water.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours.
• Add in pasta and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook on HIGH for 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with the cheese.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, 4 tablespoons of the parsley, the Parmesan, raisins, bread crumbs, egg, half the garlic, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoons pepper, until thoroughly combined. Shape into 24 meatballs.
• In a large pot, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the carrots, onion, celery and the remaining garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in the broth , tomatoes, rosemary, and the remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes.
• Add the remaining tablespoons parsley, 1/4 teaspoons pepper, and the pasta to the soup. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the meatballs and simmer until the meatballs and pasta are done, about 5 minutes longer. Serve with additional Parmesan.