Itsy Bitsy Foodies

The first time I made this soup we had an array of summer veggies in the refrigerator (zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms) that needed to be used up.  I started adding ingredients to the slow-cooker and this crock-pot minestrone was born.  You can use a variety of veggies and beans, as well as the grain or pasta of choice.  We added turkey kielbasa simply because we had some in the refrigerator, and it added a nice smoky flavor to the soup.  You can forego meat if you want to keep it vegetarian.

The second time I made it I omitted the sausage and served it over quinoa to make it a little bit heartier.  It’s perfect for a light summer dinner or a comforting winter soup, and it works well for busy weeknights because you can simply throw all of the ingredients in the slow-cooker and come home to a delicious-smelling kitchen.  Our favorite side to this soup is grilled cheese paninis on Dave’s Killer Bread.