Minestrone Soup

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 1 onion chopped

• 4 carrots peeled and sliced

• 1 fennel bulb chopped

• 2 large potatoes peeled and diced

• 1 green pepper diced

• 3 zucchini diced

• 1 ½ cups green beans sliced into 1 inch sections

• 1 small green cabbage shredded

• 5 cups beef stock

• 5 cups water

• Canned diced tomatoes- about 30 oz

• 2 tablespoons dried oregano

• 1 tablespoon dried basil

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1 15 oz can cannellini beans drained

• 1 lb cheese tortellini

• 1 ½ lbs sweet Italian sausage sautéd and drained

• Grated Parmesan or Fontina cheese for garnish

Heat oil in a stock pot and sauté onion until it is translucent.  Add the next 7 vegetables and sauté about 10 minutes.  Add liquids, herbs, and seasoning. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook 2 hours.  Add remaining ingredients and cook until pasta is done.
 
Serve with parmesan cheese and bread.
 
Serves 10 to 12.