Minestrone Col Pesto

Grrrrrgh!
Course : Italian
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 4
 

Ingredients:

1 pound borlotti -- (or pinto) beans
1 pound cannelloni -- (or white) beans
1 medium red onion -- cut 1/4 inch dice
2 medium zucchini -- cut 1/4 inch rounds
4 medium plum tomatoes -- cut 1/2 inch dice
4 medium celery stalks -- cut 1/4 inch slices
2 medium potatoes -- peeled and halved
2 medium leeks -- cleaned, and
1 teaspoon salt -- to taste
1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper -- to taste
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces small-shell pasta
1/2 cup pesto -- see * note
 

Preparation:

* Note: see the "Pesto" recipe which is included in this collection. Soak beans separately overnight and drain. In a large sauce pot, place both kinds of beans, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, celery, potatoes, leeks and olive oil and cover by 1 inch with cool water. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 1 1/2 hours until beans are tender. Add pasta, turn heat to a boil and cook until "al dente". Divide among bowls and top each bowl of minestrone with a dollop of Pesto. Source: MOLTO MARIO with Mario Batali From the TV FOOD NETWORK - (Show # MB-5735)