Pasta e Fagioli

olive oil


large onion, chopped

carrots, sliced into half moons

celery stalks, sliced

garlic cloves, minced

small zucchini, sliced into half moons
pound spinach (or 5 leaves of chard, tough stems removed, and coarsely chopped)

chopped plum tomatoes with liquid (28-ounce can)

-ounce can canellini (white kidney beans) with liquid (or I cup cooked dried beans)
cup chopped fresh parsley

chopped fresh basil leaves (1 teaspoon dried)

oregano (optional)

freshly ground black pepper

short, chunky pasta (ziti, spirals, or shells)

grated Parmesan (optional)