I think one misconception of eating healthy is that good food has to taste boring. Therefore, our tastebuds tend to automatically protest to anything with the word “vegetables” in it. Well, I’m going to show you today on “Living Dayton” that your tastebuds are going to get a makeover!

Whether it’s hot or cold outside, I absolutely LOVE this soup! The fresh vegetables, garlic, and fresh herbs really come together in a bowl of yummy goodness. Besides flavor, this makes a generous amount of soup and keeps well in the refrigerator (in an air tight container) for a good week. It’s also very forgiving. As long as the vegetables are chopped to about the same size, you can control how much of each vegetable goes in. Just be sure to adjust your salt and pepper amounts and add more vegetable broth if needed.

The sky is the limit!!!

Tuscan Vegetable Soup (adapted from Ellie Krieger)

1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium canellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
2 carrots, diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced, (about 1/2 cup)
1 small zucchini, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can no salt added diced tomatoes
2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional

In a small bowl mash half of the beans with a masher or the back of a spoon, and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, thyme, sage, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the broth and tomatoes with the juice and bring to a boil. Add the mashed and whole beans and the spinach leaves and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes more.

Serve topped with Parmesan, if desired.