Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
1 large onion, cut into large dice
1 celery stalk, cut into large dice
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2 moon shapes
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 cup boiled ham chunks or end of prosciutto, large dice
4 medium tomatoes, fresh or canned, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chopped Italian parsley leaves
6 cups hot vegetable stock or chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 small zucchini, medium dice
3/4 cup arborio rice
2 yellow, red, or orange bell peppers, roasted, cored, skinned, seeded and cut into strips
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

6 fresh chopped basil leaves

Instructions

In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons
olive oil over medium heat until hot, but not smoking. Add the onion and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Lower
the heat to low, and add the celery, carrots and garlic. Allow to simmer over low heat until the vegetables
begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add the ham pieces and cook 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the
tomatoes and the parsley. Cook for 5 more minutes so that the flavors meld.

Add the hot water or stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, and add the zucchini
and the rice. Bring back to a boil and then lower the heat so that the liquid is simmering. Let simmer gently
until the rice is cooked, about 40 minutes. Remember to stir the soup occasionally. Add more water or stock,
if necessary.

When the rice is cooked, add the roasted peppers and remove the soup from the heat. Stir in Parmesan, to
taste, and top each serving with some chopped basil.