Minestrone Soup and a Nor'easter

The weather took a turn for the worse as the nor'easter battered Norfolk. Fortunately I got the day off! Josh was on duty so he had to go in to work off and on all day. When he got home we made minestrone soup. I got the recipe the recipe from our friend Cathy Lanning. It was amazing! I've attached the recipe so everyone can enjoy.

MINESTRONE SOUP
from Cathy Lanning



1/4 lb. each: ham-diced, bacon-pieces & spicy Italian sausage (you can always add extra)
1 clove garlic-chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, diced
1 zucchini, sliced
1 leek - white only
pinch allspice
8 (10 3/4 oz.) cans chicken broth
1 (27oz) can kidney beans-undrained
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach
1 c. red wine
1 (20oz) can tomatoes
1/2 c. elbow macaroni or slightly more (uncooked)
1 Tbl. basil
Brown meats with garlic. Add and simmer the onion, celery, zucchini, leek & allspice. Add pepper to taste. Then add chicken broth, kidney beans, spinach & wine - simmer 1 1/2 hrs. Finally add the tomatoes & macaroni and cook 15 mins. Soup can be frozen now, but before serving add the basil. Serve with Parmesan cheese.