Hearty Minestrone

Serves 6
Prep 30, Cook 60

Soup improves with age!
2T evoo
1# portuguese or Italian sausage, sliced
1 large onion, coursely chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1 celery stalk with leaves, sliced
2 garlic cloves chopped
1/2t thyme dried
1/2 t rosemary dried
1 t sweet paprika
1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
2 large potatoes, srubbed and cut into 1/2" chunks
16 oz crushed tomatoes
2 x 16 oz canellini, kidney or pinto beans, or chick peas
8c water
1# small tortellini, ravioli, agnolotti or other stuffed pasta, cooked
grated parm, asiago or romano cheese

Heat oil in large soup pot over med heat. Add sausage, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, rosemary, paprika. Cook until softenend and sausage begins to brown. Add cabbage and potatoes and cook, partially covered, stirring occasionally until cabbage is wilted, abotu 5 mins. Rais heat to high and add tomatoes and juice, beans and water. When boils, lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until vegs are tender about 40 mins. Add pasta and simmer 10 mins. Serve with cheese.

Serve with ligh, spicy red from Proence like a Bandol or Chateuneuf du pape or a chianti.