Homestyle Minestrone Soup

Ingredients:

1. Penne pasta - 1/4 - 1/2 cup
2. Garbanzo beans - 1/2 cup (or 1 can)
3. Onion - 1 large; chopped
4. Garlic - 2-3 cloves; chopped
5. Celery - 1 stalk, chopped
6. Carrots - 3; chopped
7. Tomatoes - 2 ; chopped
8. Tomato paste - 3 table spoon
9. Zucchini - 1; chopped 
10. Baby spinach -  5 oz bag 
11. Olive oil
12. Dried basil - 1 tablespoon
13. Oregano - 1 tablespoon
14. Pepper powder - 1 tablespoon
15. Salt - to taste
16. Water - 6 cups

Method:

1. If not using canned garbanzo, soak it for about 5 hrs and cook for 2 whistles in a pressure cooker with little salt. (Do not mash the beans).
2. Cook pasta in boiling hot water with salt until soft. Set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a deep pot and add carrots, celery, onions and garlic.
4. Saute till the vegetables are cooked.
5. Add water, tomato, tomato paste, garbanzo beans.
6. Add the seasonings along with salt and pepper.
7. Bring to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
8. Add in the zucchini and let it boil again for 5 minutes.
9. Add the spinach to the soup  and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
10. Add the cooked pasta and give it a stir.
11. Serve hot with shredded cheese (optional)

Note: You can also substitute garbanzo beans with red kidney beans or use both!