Lena'S Minestrone

• 6 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 6 carrots, chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
• 3/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 1/2 quarts water
• 1 1/2 cups seashell pasta
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large pot ombine the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beans, tomato paste and water. Cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are tender.
2. Transfer soup to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
3. Return soup to pot and stir in pasta. If desired add additional water to thin soup. Stir in the oregano and basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat unitl pasta is al dente. Serve hot topped with freshly grated Romano.

potatoes, carrots, stalks celery, onion, garlic, kidney beans, tomato paste, water, seashell pasta, oregano, basil, salt

Taken from www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13433/lenas-minestrone/ (may not work)