Recipe: Milanese Style Minestrone (Crockpot)

Milanese Style Minestrone

1/4 LB salt pork
2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 Small cabbage head, shredded
2 sprigs parsley, chopped
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup small white beans, soaked overnight and drained
1/2 cup rice
Salt, to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
2 potatoes, cubed
2 carrots, diced
1 Tbl basil, Chopped
2 celery stalks, sliced
grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Saute the salt pork, garlic, onion and parsley in a skillet. Combine with all remaining ingredients, except cabbage, peas, rice and basil, and 2 quarts water in crock pot. Cover and cook on HIGH 2 hours, then on LOW 8 hours.
Add cabbage, peas, rice and cook on HIGH 30 minutes or until rice is tender. Add salt, pepper, and basil, top with grated Parmesan and serve in bowls, with French bread.