Marion Cunningham's Minestrone Soup

This soup was just the thing for a cold winter night.

I think it was particularly brilliant because I discovered a home-made beef broth hiding in my freezer. The broth (up to the point where you add all the vegetables) was so delicious, I couldn't stop sampling!

The broth was improved by browning cottage bacon. In addition, white beans are cooked and then pureed, giving the soup's broth a nice amount of body.

I used the suggested vegetables (carrots, cabbage, spinach), but probably any mix would do. For the pasta, we used a tiny bowtie. It was cute.