Sausage Pasta Soup

• 1-1/2 pounds Italian sausage, medium spice, cut in 1/4-inch slices
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 pounds tomatoes, peeled and cored
• 1-1/2 cups dry red wine
• 5 cups beef stock
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 medium green pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick (or green beans)
• 2 cups bow-tie noodles, or other small pasta shapes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a 5-quart Dutch oven cook the sausage over medium heat until lightly browned, 7-10 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon to a plate. Drain all but 3 tbsp of the fat from the kettle. Add the garlic and the onions to the same kettle and saute for 2-3 minutes or until transparent.

2. Add the slightly cooked sausage and cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the tomatoes, stirring to break them apart. Add the wine, stock, basil, and oregano and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. (At this point, you may refrigerate the soup. Later proceed with #3.) Skim the excess fat from the top of the soup.

3. Reheat the soup before proceeding if necessary. Add the parsley, green pepper, zucchini, and noodles. Simmer covered for 25 minutes or until the noodles are al dente. Serve in deep soup bowls, passing the Parmesan in a separate bowl.

From The California Heritage Cookbook.