Minestrone With Giant White Beans and Winter Squash

giant white beans such as Royal Coronas, gigandes (giant white beans), or large dried limas, washed, picked over and soaked for 4 hours or longer (no need to soak limas or large white beans)

medium onion

bay leaf

water

Salt

garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

extra virgin olive oil

medium onion, chopped

large or 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (1/2 inch dice or smaller if desired)

celery stalk, diced

chopped fresh parsley

or 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved, cleaned well and sliced thin

or 4 garlic cloves (to taste), minced

chopped tomatoes, with juice

bouquet garni made with a Parmesan rind, a bay leaf and a couple of sprigs each parsley and thyme, tied into one of the leek leaves if desired

Salt and freshly ground pepper

winter squash, diced

Lots of chopped flat leaf parsley or basil (or both)

Freshly grated Parmesan for serving