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Canning Day Quilt

Patty’s Gentler Times Minestrone Soup

I’m so happy to be able to share this recipe.

Yes.  It is an absolutely delicious soup.

But this soup has a little story…

If you are a quilter from Utah, I’m sure many of you remember and miss Gentler Times.

It was one of the most wonderful quilt shops you could imagine- nestled away in a lovely old house, it was a favorite place to take quilt classes, find wonderful fabric, and small treasures.

My mom, Leslie Ison, worked and taught quilt classes there for many years.  As kids, it felt like we were always popping in and out of Gentler Times.  I know my love of fabrics took seed there.

One of the owners of Gentler Times was named Patty.

Patty is one of a kind.  In a good way.

She has an abundance of talent, style, flair, energy, and heart.

This soup is her recipe.  She would make it and bring a big pot into Gentler Times to be served at a class or event.  Just like Patty, there is nothing boring about this soup.  It is full of flavor and flair.

True to form, the written recipe I received from Patty was a VERY creative… a pinch of this and a bit of that.  So I’ve done my best recreating the recipe with measurements… for those of you who have had Patty’s soup, let me know if I’ve got it right.

This recipe makes a BIG pot folks, so make it and share some with friends… or freeze half for later.

A lot a yummy ingredients go into this soup… but like all good soup recipes, it a guideline, not a rule.  You can easily make it vegetarian by leaving out the hamburger and using vegetable broth.  Or switch up the beans…

The vegetables are also flexible- add or leave out veggies as you please.  But do yourself a favor and make it Patty’s way the first time around.  She’s got lots of wonderful greens in the soup. I especially love the addition of cabbage and spinach, which I don’t usually see in a Minestrone recipes.

Patty’s Minestrone Soup

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 rib of celery, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb. hamburger
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 –  64 oz. can V-8 Juice
  • 2 – 15 oz. cans stewed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup catsup (optional)
  • 3/4 cup pasta of choice (small is best)
  • 1-1/2 cups green beans, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup chopped cabbage
  • 1 small zucchini, quartered and sliced
  • 1 cup chopped spinach
  • 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil

In a large sauce pan or dutch oven heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion, celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Stirring often, cook until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.  Increase temperature to medium high and add hamburger and garlic and cook until meat is browned, about 7 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Pour in wine, and be sure to scrape up the brown bits from the pan.  Add chicken broth, stewed tomatoes (I like to make sure the tomatoes are chopped somewhat small for my kids), catsup, and V-8 Juice.  Bring to a boil and add green beans, cabbage, bay leaf and Italian seasoning.  Cook at a low boil stirring occasionally about 15 minutes until green beans and cabbage are softened.  Add pasta, zucchini, spinach and beans and cook until softened about 12 more minutes, until pasta is cooked.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Remove bay leaf and add fresh basil just before serving.

Garnish with grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Thanks Patty for sharing this wonderful recipe!



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9 Responses to “Patty’s Gentler Times Minestrone Soup”

  • Bridgette:

    Oh how I have missed that shop! I remember your mom teaching there, along with so many others.
    Every time I went in I would say how much I would love to live in that wonderful old house. And every time they assured me that I would not :)

  • I took my very first quilting class at Gentler Times from your mom. She is a wonderful teacher (and person), and I’ve been hooked ever since. I never had the chance to try Patty’s soup, so will be giving this one a try. Thank you for sharing.

  • Judith - Texas:

    Living in Texas, I didn’t get a chance to visit Gentler Times but know that I would have loved it. Thank you and Patty for sharing the soup recipe; just printed it out and to the store I go for ingredients.

  • Jill:

    I live in Texas now but loved Gentler Times. I also took several classes from your mom. She is a wonderful woman. I miss my Utah quilting friends. It was fun to look back on your blog and see your cute girls. I remember when they were born. You have a fun blog.

  • Jenn:

    Oh how I miss Gentler Times! I loved their wonderful fabrics. I’m looking forward to trying this soup. I have missed your recipe posts Callie!

  • Tina:

    I am so, so glad you are back blogging. I missed you. The soup looks wonderful by the way.

  • Merci, je note et je la fais cette semaine:-))

  • You’ve been nominated for a Liebster Award. Check out my blog to read all about it. http://www.uggabearcottage.blogspot.com

  • Lisa:

    Oh Calli my dear I am so excited you printed this recipe!! I took my first quilting class of many at the lovely Gentler Times! I so miss that wonderful store. I have had this soup at an all day class. I Sammy still enjoying that quilt today. The summertime brings out another favorite recipe that I enjoyed at a class by your delightful Mom!

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