Soup of Fresh Greens and Alphabets

Soup of Fresh Greens and Alphabets

Copyright: The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper

8 cups (double recipe) Cheater's Homemade Broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup canned whole tomatoes, crushed with your hands (do not use canned crushed tomatoes)
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 medium to large onion, minced
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large handfuls curly endive leaves, fine chopped (2 1/2 to 3 cups)
1/3 tight-packed cup fresh basil leaves, fine chopped
1/2 cup tiny pasta (alphabets, orzo, or stars)
Salt and fresh-ground black pepper
1 cup or more fresh-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional)

In a 6-quart pot, combine the broth, wine, and tomatoes. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, onion, chickpeas, greens, and basil. Simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes or until onions are tender.

Stir in the pasta and simmer, partially covered, for 6 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Taste the soup for seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, passing the cheese at the table.