Hearty Minestrone Soup

"Minestrone soup: thick, warm, comforting and overflowing with vegetables. Beloved in most ex-Yu countries, and especially Slovenia. This Italian classic is a favorite in my family. The recipe is one mom picked up while living in the States. We love it when she makes it, and I’ve put it in my repertoire as well. It was a joy to find that minestrone has a Balkan version, called mineštra, beloved by Slovenians, especially in the Kranj region. There are many recipes, and kielbasa is often used instead of ground beef. "