Tuscan Peasant Soup

 One of my favorite things about living in the Midwest is the change of seasons. My favorite is the change from summer into fall, with the leaves changing, the crisp air and smell of fall, and the shift in recipes, from fresh salads and grilled meats and vegetables to soups and pretty much anything with canned pumpkin. Living on the west coast this last year deprived me of these changes in seasons (but can I really call 70-75 and sunny every day deprivation?), but I did manage to whip up a pot of soup to reminisce over. You may be thinking, it's June, why are we talking about fall? It just took me this long to get the recipe (slightly adapted from here) posted.

Ingredients
6 oz. thickly-diced pancetta
1/2 small head of cabbage
1 large white onion
4 medium-large carrots
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 (280z) can diced tomatoes, drained
7 cups chicken broth
2 (15oz) cans cannellini beans
1/2 lemon, squeezed
Salt and black pepper
Olive oil
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese


Directions
1. Heat olive oil until hot in a large pot or Dutch oven.
2. Cook the pancetta until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set on a plate lined with paper towel. Set aside.

3. Remove some (but not all) of the pancetta fat from the pan.
4. Slice the cabbage very thinly and then add to the pot. Cook until browned and softened slightly. Remove to a plate and set aside.

5. Add olive oil and heat it back up.
6. Meanwhile, chop the onion and peel and dice the carrots.
7. Add to the pot and salt. Cook and stir occasionally until browned.

8. Add a little more olive oil, as well as the minced garlic and coriander, and cook for one minute.
9. Add the drained tomatoes and cook for another few minutes.

10. Add the cabbage back into the pot and pour in the chicken broth.
11. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
12. Add the beans and return to a simmer, and cook for another minute.
13. Season with salt, black pepper and the juice of half a lemon.

14. Serve hot, garnished with the pancetta and some shredded cheese.