Minestrone with Turkey

I just made a pot of this for the weekend and it is yummy, if I do say so myself. It's also very healthy, nutritious and oh my gosh, DELICIOUS!

1 pound ground turkey
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 large carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (I don't think you can have enough zucchini, so I used 2)
1/4 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
6 cups beef broth (I used low sodium)
2 cans (15 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 oz.) garbanzo beans
(I also added a large handful of small red beans, soaked overnight and microwaved for 5 minutes on high~GREAT ANTIOXIDANTS)
1/2 cup uncooked small pasta shells
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a soup kettle, cook turkey and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the carrots, celery and garlic; cook for 3 minutes. Add zucchini and green beans; cook 2 minutes longer.

Stir in broth, red beans, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover; Simmer for 45 minutes. Return to a boil. Stir in garbanzo beans, pasta and parsley. Cook for 6-9 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Serve with parmesan cheese. Makes about 3 quarts.

Zesty Citrus Vinaigrette (vinegarette)

2 Tbsp powdered fruit pectin
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 2 tsp dried
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp chopped fresh oregano or 1/4 tsp dried oregano
Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
This dressing lends zesty flavor with no fat. Serve it on a salad of spinach leaves, mandarin orange segments, sliced celery and croutons.

Combine all ingredients in small jar with tight- fitting lid; shake to blend well.

Makes 2/3 cup, 1 Tbsp per serving (8 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g chol, 50 mg sodium)

Recipe is from the July/August 1994 issue of Pillsbury Fast & Healthy.