Minestrone Soup II

Minestrone is one of my all-time favorite soups!  I can't get enough of it.  It's Italian, and full of yummy veggies.  It's like the best of both worlds ;) Unfortunately, I seem to be the only one who feels that way in my family...  So I don't make this as often as I'd like to.  Hopefully you get to enjoy it more than I do!

Ingredients:

     ·    1 small celery, diced -or- 1/4 t. celery seeds

     ·    1 can mushrooms, drained

     ·    Handful of frozen green beans -or- 1 small can, drained

     ·    1 carrot, chopped -or- 1 small can, drained

     ·    4 cloves of garlic -or- 2 t. garlic powder

     ·    1 T. dried onions

     ·    ½ large zucchini -or- 1/4 c. dried, rehydrated

     ·    1 can diced tomatoes

     ·    1 can Italian stewed tomatoes, pureed

     ·    4 c. chicken broth

     ·    1 c. beef broth

     ·    1 T. Italian seasoning

     ·    1 t. salt

     ·    2 t. brown sugar

     ·    ½ t. pepper

     ·    1 T. balsamic vinegar

     ·    ½ - ¾ c. pasta

     ·    2 handfuls spinach, chopped -or- 1 small can, drained (opt)

     ·    1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

     ·    1 c. water (opt)

Directions:

Combine ingredients, except pasta/spinach/beans, in medium soup pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender.  Add pasta and return to a boil.  Cook until al dente.  Add spinach and beans; stir well.  Add water to desired consistency.