1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 slices bacon, diced
2 medium onions, finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
2 carrots, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice (2 cups)
14-ounce can (or 2 cups) canned plum tomatoes, chopped
1/2 head small savoy cabbage, cut into 1-inch pieces or finely sliced
2 cups washed spinach leaves, chopped roughly
2 cans (16 ounces each) white beans; rinsed and drained; one can pureed, the can of beans left whole
1/2 cup stemmed washed basil leaves cut into strips
4 cups chicken broth, preferably homemade
4 cups water
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
About 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese