Minestrone With Shrimp, Garbanzo Beans, And Autumn Squash - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups garbanzo beans (dried or canned)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped carrot (1 medium)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 -6 cups defatted chicken broth
2 teaspoons snipped fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 bay leaf
1 cup cubed peeled butternut squash
1 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
4 ounces small shrimp or 4 ounces medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil leaves or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1/4 cup finely shredded parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Preparation

Soak dried beans at least 8 hours.
Or bring to a rolling boil; remove from heat.
Cover and let stand 1 hour.
Simmer presoaked or quick-soaked beans for 30 minutes. Set aside.
In 4-quart Dutch oven cook carrots, onions, and garlic in hot olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat.
Rinse and drain beans in colander.
Add dried, precooked beans (NOT canned beans), chicken broth, rosemary, crushed red pepper, and bay leaf to Dutch oven.
Bring to boil; reduce heat.
Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add squash and tomato.
If using canned beans, rinse, drain, and add with squash and tomato at this point.
Cover and cook 20 to 30 minutes more or until beans and squash are tender.
Remove and discard bay leaf.
Stir in shrimp and basil.
Bring just to boil.
Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, for 1 to 2 minutes or until shrimp turn opaque.