Minestrone with Pesto: Minestrone con Pesto

Ingredients

Pesto:

• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, preferably "picolo fino"
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 5 ounces Ligurian extra-virgin olive oil

Minestrone:

• 1 1/2 cups borlotti (or pinto) beans
• 1 1/2 cups cannelloni (or white) beans
• 1 medium red onion, cut into medium dice
• 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch moons, 1/2-inch thick
• 4 plum canned plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 4 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 2 leeks, cleaned and cut into 1/2-inch moons
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 6 ounces small shells pasta
• 1/2 cup pesto

Directions

To make the pesto: In a large stone mortar, place the pine nuts, basil, garlic, and salt, and grind with a pestle until paste. Drizzle in the olive oil, beating with a wooden spoon. This can also be done in a food processor. Store in jars, topped with extra-virgin olive oil, for up to 1 week.

To make the minestrone:

Soak the borlotti and Cannelloni beans separately overnight and drain.

In a large soup pot, place both kinds of beans, the onion, zucchini, tomatoes, celery, potatoes, leeks, and olive oil, and cover by 1-inch with cool water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the beans are tender about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Add the pasta, and turn the heat to high. Cook the pasta at a boil until al dente. Divide the soup among 4 bowls and top each bowl of minestrone with a dollop of pesto floating on top.