Green Minestrone Soup

Green Minestrone

3 slices bacon uncooked, or cooked

1 medium onion

2 large garlic cloves

1 medium zucchini, chopped

1 bunch of asparagus, chopped (don't use the tough ends)

(anything else green you want like, green beans, broccoli, spinach, or not)

1 can of white cannellini beans or substitute great northern

6 cups or so of chicken broth (enough to cover all vegetables)

(I like the soup as is, but you could add in some noodles, rice, or potatoes if you have the desire and enough broth.)
elbow pasta if desired
bay leaf, basil, or parsley, or spinach if desired

Parmesan cheese

If you have any leftover bacon or sausage, start by sautéing it up with the onion in olive oil.  If not just leave out the meat part.  Once the onion is soft, add the garlic and sauté another minute or two.  Add the chicken broth and once it comes to a boil add everything else.  Turn heat down to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes and serve with some Parmesan cheese.  You want the vegetables soft but not cooked to death.  If you want it to be creamy you can add some splashes of heavy cream.  My kids like me to stir in some milk to cool it down for them.  They actually like this soup, and it gets them their vegetables!  Serve with French bread. Yummy!

To make this a regular Minestrone, add in some tomato sauce and canned diced tomatoes, or stewed tomatoes.