J.O.'s Minestrone Primavera

J.O.'s Minestrone Primavera

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 leek, finely sliced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 zucchini, finely chopped
1 quart chicken stock
120g ditalini - about 1/4 of the package
A handful of vegetables such as baby spinach, green beans, frozen peas, frozen broad beans or a mixture
A spoonful of pesto to serve

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Very gently saute the onion, celery, garlic, leek and carrot for 10 minutes until softened and just beginning to color. Add the zucchini and chicken stock, then simmer gently for five minutes. Add the pasta, cook for a further 5 minutes, then add a handful of vegetables. Cook for a couple of minutes and season. Serve the soup topped with a spoonful of pesto. Serves 4.