Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   4      teaspoons     olive oil
   1                    onion -- chopped finely
   1                    garlic clove -- chopped
                        finely
   1                    carrot -- sliced
   1                    celery stick -- sliced
   1                    leek -- sliced
   4      ounces        cooked ham -- cubed
   7      ounces        canned cannellini
                        beans -- rinsed and drained
   1 1/2  pints         chicken stock
   2      ounces        pasta spirals
   4      large         tomatoes -- skinned, de-seeded
                        and chopped
   1      tablespoon    chopped fresh oregano
   1      tablespoon    chopped fresh marjoram
                        salt and freshly ground
                        black pepper

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery and leek and cook gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ham and cook for 5 minutes more. 2. Stir in the beans, stock and pasta spirals. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. 3. Add the tomatoes, oregano and marjoram and simmer gently for 5 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 4. Serve, piping hot, in warm soup bowls. Freezing recommended Pasta and Beans (pasta e fagioli) is a typical Italian combination. This hearty winter-warmer is a meal in itself. Substitute the cannellini beans with borlotti or haricot beans for a change.