In the middle of summer when your garden is producing its highest output is the perfect time to make a hearty soup. Any of the ingredients can be substituted for vegetables that you have available.

Main soup ingredients:

• 1 leek, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups carrots, diced
• 8 small potatoes, chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 pound dry beans (can be any variety)
• 6 springs fresh common sage
• 6 small sprigs rosemary
• 10 cups water
• 1/2 pound string beans
• 1 zucchini, cubed
• 1/4 pound linguine or spaghetti, broken into pieces

The pistou:

• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1/3 cup basil, chopped
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium tomato

Sautee the onion and leek over medium-low heat until just turning brown. Add carrots, potatoes, tomato, and beans. Add sage, rosemary, and water. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to a simmer for 45 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.

About 25 minutes before serving, add the string beans, zucchini, and pasta. While soup finishes create the pistou by placing garlic, basil, and parmesan cheese in a food processor and blend until grainy.

Continue processing and add the oil slowly until mixture is smooth. Mince tomato finely and drain in a sieve. Add to the sauce. Add a ladleful of the soup to the sauce, mix, then pour sauce back into the rest of the soup and combine.

Serve right away.