Jo's hearty minestrone- and the hero of the dish is . . . . .

You need
a few carrots
2 onions
2 cloves / teas garlic
3 sticks celery
3 med spuds
2 small zucchini
a handful of green beans
1/8 cabbage
a little oil
2 tabs butter
5 cups water
3 beef stock cubes
canned tomatoes (2 x 400gr)
310 g can cannellini beans
salt and pepper to season
fresh shaved parmeson cheese (the hero of the dish)
chop all vegies

lightly fry in this order, onions and garlic, carrots, celery, zucchin, spuds (diced), beans, shredded cabbage.  Add at 1-2 min intervals.  Add water and stock and canned tomatoes (undrained).  Boil, then reduce by covering and simmering 1+1/2 - 2 hours - it should now be a bit thick.  15 mins before serving add the cannellini beans.  Add shaved parmeson on serving.

This will make heaps!! - like serves 6