Green Minestrone with Chicken and Pesto

Course Appetizers Total Time Half Day

Ingredients in this Recipe

1 celery stalk whole with leaves and 2 celery stalks, diced
1 pound small zucchini
1 small (about 1 ½ pounds) green cabbage, preferable savoy
1 small carrot
1 small onion, whole, and 1 medium, chopped
10 cups water, or as needed
2 cups loosely packed whole fresh basil leaves, well washed
2 large leeks, white portions only, thinly sliced
2 tablespons (1/4 stick) butter and 2 tablespoons mild olive oil, or 4 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup green split peas (optional)
3 parsley sprigs
4 garlic cloves
8 to 10 black peppercorns
Leaves of 1 large bunch young and tender Swiss chard, well washed and coarsely chopped (optional)
One 3 ½ to 4 pound chicken, quartered, with neck and all giblets except liver
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup olive oil
½ cup rice or 4 medium boiling potatoes, peeled and cubed
½ pound string beans, trimmed and cut into ½ inch lengths

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