Minestrone Alla Calabrese - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 slices lean salt pork or bacon
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 celery stalk
1 small carrot
1/2 clove garlic
4 fresh basil leaves
2 Tbsp. olive oil
grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 to 2 qt. hot water
1 tsp. salt
1 lb. mixed summer vegetables: peas, green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, carrots, celery and potato
1 large yellow sweet pepper
1/2 c. rice

Preparation

Mince first 5 ingredients; heat oil in soup pot.
Add ingredients and saute over medium heat until golden.
Add hot water and salt; bring to a boil.
Chop summer vegetables into pieces no bigger than 1/2 inch.
Add all when soup pot reaches a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes.
If too thick, add a cup of hot water.
Core yellow pepper and cut into long, thin strips. Add to simmering soup.
When carrots are tender, add rice and boil gently another 15 minutes or until rice is done.
Serve with cheese.