Vegetable-Bean Soup with Spelt

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cups chopped leek
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped country ham (about 1 ounce)
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup uncooked spelt (farro), rinsed and drained
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 thyme sprig
• 2 cups chopped beet greens
• 2 (16-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preparation

1. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, leek, carrot, and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add ham; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in water and next 7 ingredients (water through thyme); bring to a boil.
2. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add greens, beans, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, and garnish each serving with cheese.