Winter Minestrone

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and next 3 ingredients to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add squash and next 3 ingredients; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup water, broth, and tomato paste; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in pasta; cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chard; cook 3 minutes. Add beans; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir in pepper, and sprinkle with cheese.

To easily peel and cube acorn squash, first pierce the shell of the squash in several places with a fork, and microwave at HIGH 2 minutes. Let the squash cool slightly before peeling it, and then use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. Once you've peeled it, cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds using a spoon or your fingers, and cube it.