Claudette's Minestrone

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 5 carrots, chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
• 2 quarts water
• 1 cup seashell pasta

Recipe

• in a large pot combine the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beans, tomato paste and water. cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are tender.
• transfer soup to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. return to pot and stir in the pasta. cook until pasta is done. serve with romano or parmesan cheese, if desired.