Rustic Italian soup featuring white beans, kale, vegetables, and crunchy sourdough croutons in a savory broth.
# Components:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 small fennel bulb, cored and diced, optional
07 - 1 small zucchini, diced
08 - 1 bunch Tuscan kale (cavolo nero), stemmed and chopped, approximately 4 cups
09 - 1 Yukon gold potato, peeled and diced
10 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
→ Beans & Broth
11 - 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed or 3 cups cooked beans
12 - 6 cups vegetable broth
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Sourdough Croutons
18 - 4 thick slices day-old sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
19 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
20 - 1 clove garlic, halved
→ Finishing
21 - Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
22 - Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, optional
# Directions:
01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and fennel if using. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add zucchini, potato, and kale; cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Season generously with salt and pepper.
04 - Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Partially mash some beans and vegetables with the back of a spoon to achieve a thicker texture.
05 - While soup simmers, preheat oven to 400°F. Toss sourdough cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil and spread on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. While still warm, rub with cut sides of garlic clove.
06 - Remove bay leaf from soup. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top generously with sourdough croutons, a drizzle of olive oil, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.
