Good & Garlicky Thick & Hearty Soul-Satisfying More-Than-Minestrone Italian Soup Cookbook

"Italians have a saying, 'La cuppa fa settee rose,' which means, 'Soup does seven things.' It quenches your thirst, it satisfies your hunger, it fills your stomach, it aids your digestion, it makes your teeth sparkle, it colors your cheeks, and it helps you sleep....Certainly, soup is the ultimate comfort food."

What better cookbook to begin my planned series on Italian cookbooks than this one on soup?

There are all sorts of common Italian soups, including soups with seafood (zuppe di pesce) and soups with pasta (zuppe di pasta), but the two most popular Italian soups are minestrone ("big soup") and pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans).

Italian cooks love to improvise and to cook creatively, I learn. This cookbook contains nine minestrone variations. There are, according to cookbook author Joe Famularo, "as many types of minestrones as there are people cooking them." 

Why not use what I have on hand to make my own minestrone soup? So I did. I threw corn and celery and carrots and sausage into my pot. Here is the delicious result:

	3/4 Lb. Italian Sausage  1 T. Vegetable Oil 1/2 Cup Carrot 1/2 Cup Celery 1/2  Green Pepper  1 Can Beef Broth 1 Can Zesty Tomato Sauce 1 1/2 Cup Water 1 Cup Bow-Shaped Pasta, Uncooked
	Form sausage into 3/4" meatballs. In a large saucepan, heat oil and cook meatballs until browned, stirring often. Spoon off all but 1 T drippings. Add vegetables. Cook 5 minutes, stirring often. Add broth, tomato sauce, and water. Heat to boiling. Add pasta. Reduce to low heat. Simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is done, stirring now and then.

For more wordless photos, go to Wordless Wednesday.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. To participate in Saturday Snapshot: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken and then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky at West Metro Mommy Reads.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.