Katzen'S Minestrone (Vegetarian)

• The broth
• 3 heads garlic (whole)
• 10 cups water
• 2 -3 bay leaves
• 8 whole black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 potatoes, scrubbed, peeled, and coarsely chopped
• 3 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme or 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• The Soup
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 3 bell peppers, red, green, yellow, orange, chopped
• 3 small zucchini, chopped
• 6 -8 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 tablespoons dried basil
• 3 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 pinch dried chili pepper flakes
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen cauliflower
• 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups pasta (short, chunky pasta is good)
• salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste

1. Part One: The Broth.
2. Remove the papery skins from the garlic heads and break them into cloves.
3. Whack the cloves with the broad side of a wide knife.
4. Combine everything up to and including the thyme in a large pot and bring to a boil.
5. Cover, lower the heat, and simmer for an hour.
6. Strain the stock and use right away, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to four days, or freeze up to six months.
7. Part Two: The Soup.
8. Saute onions in oil, until they are starting to soften.
9. Add carrots, peppers, zucchini, garlic, basil, oregano, chili flakes, and turn down to medium-low and cover, stirring frequently, until the veggies start to soften a bit.
10. Add diced tomatoes and broth, and season with salt and pepper.
11. Bring to a simmer, cover, and allow to cook for 45 minutes or so.
12. Add drained and rinsed beans.
13. Add pasta, and cool immediately or pasta will start to break down and fall apart.

broth, garlic, water, bay leaves, black peppercorns, salt, potatoes, celery, carrots, thyme, canola oil, onions, carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, garlic, basil, oregano, chili pepper, tomatoes, frozen cauliflower, kidney beans, pasta, salt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/katzens-minestrone-vegetarian-211120 (may not work)