Minestrone a La Milanese - Eileen Ostler

1/4 lb. bacon
1/2 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic, quartered
6 beef bouillon cubes
6 cups boiling water
1/2 cup peeled, sliced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
1 cup fresh green beans, cut in 1/2-inch slices
1/2 cup peeled, sliced potatoes
1 cup sliced zucchini squash
1 cup shredded cabbage
3 medium tomatoes, peeled and diced
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon basil leaves
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese

Place Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until bacon is browned and crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Add onion and garlic to bacon fat in dutch oven and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add bouillon cubes, water, carrots, celery, green beans, and potatoes. Reduce heat to low. Cover with vac-control valve closed. Simmer 20-25 minutes. Add squash, cabbage, tomatoes, parsley, basil leaves and pepper. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Crumble bacon and stir into hot soup. Serve with Parmesan, Mozzarella, or cheddar cheese sprinkled over the top. Makes about 2 quarts. Enjoy!!