{"id":38251,"date":"2026-01-23T14:32:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T22:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nourishedkitchen.com\/?p=38251"},"modified":"2026-01-28T16:13:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T00:13:02","slug":"winter-minestrone-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nourishedkitchen.com\/winter-minestrone-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Minestrone with Butternut Squash and Emmer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Brimming with winter squash, ribbons of hardy kale, tender chickpeas, and sturdy whole grains, this winter minestrone<\/strong> is the kind of soup that'll carry you through the darkest, coldest days of the season.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"winter<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is one of those recipes that's endlessly adaptable. It's more of an idea tossed together in a pot than a proper recipe. A riff on what's available in your pantry an at the farmers market. Some homemade bone broth<\/a>. A can of tomatoes. Beans and grains. The last of the winter veg tucked away in your crisper drawer - it all works here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cannellini beans can stand in for the chickpeas. Whole wheat orzo or another small, tiny pasta can substitute for emmer. Swiss chard or even spinach can find a place instead of kale. And, any which way, it seems to turn out just right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes together without a fuss and is mercifully light on your budget. Warming, wholesome, packed with fiber, it's a soup that we return to again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Ingredients + Substitutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aromatic vegetables <\/strong>include onion, garlic, celery and carrots. They give the soup a richness, and you'll find them as the base in most minestrone recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dried herbs<\/strong> include thyme, basil, oregano and crushed red pepper. You can swap in fresh herbs if you have them, but add less since dried herbs are more concentrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butternut squash<\/strong> forms the bulk of the veg in the soup. If you don't have butternut squash, you can swap in another winter squash option - kabocha, red kuri, and pie pumpkins will work, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kale<\/strong> added right at the very end adds color, flavor and a good dose of fiber. You can also substitute most other hardy winter greens (mustard greens, spinach, chard).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emmer<\/a><\/strong> is an ancient grain related to einkorn and spelt. It tastes deliciously nutty with a chewy texture. You can swap in small whole-wheat pasta, such as orzo or ditalini. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chickpeas<\/strong> add bulk and give the soup plenty of fiber and a protein. Other options include cannellini beans, cranberry beans, or even kidney beans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicken broth<\/strong> and diced tomatoes<\/strong> pull the soup together. Just about any broth recipe<\/a> will work here, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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sponsored<\/p>\n\n\n\n