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Summer Minestrone with Turkey Meatballs

A hearty, freezer-friendly soup chockfull of fresh garden vegetables. A classic summertime dinner!

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 rib celery, diced
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 8 cups chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¾ cup ditalini pasta
  • 2 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 pound ground turkey breast
  • ⅓ cup Panko
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, Panko, Parmesan, garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, if using; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into 3/4-to-1-inch meatballs, forming about 30-32 meatballs.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
  3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the stockpot. Add garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Whisk in chicken stock and bay leaves; bring to a boil. Stir in pasta and meatballs; reduce heat and simmer until pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
  5. Stir in zucchini and spinach until the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in lemon juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  7. Serve immediately.