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Special Pasta Soup

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and diced small
• 6 medium tomatoes, quartered
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
• 10 sage leaves
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons Italian extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing and drizzling
• 2 liters vegetable stock
• 100g/ 4 oz very small pasta shapes
• ½-inch stick cinnamon
• 1 level teaspoon red chilli flakes
• 100g/ 4 oz cooked cannelloni or borlotti beans (from a tin)
• 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 4 tablespoons vegetarian Pecorino cheese, coarsely grated

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees C/ fan oven to 180 degrees C/ or gas mark 6.
2. In a greased baking tray, place the squash, tomatoes, onion, garlic, sage and rosemary, spreading everything around evenly. Season to taste, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and toss the vegetables lightly so that they are evenly coated.
3. Place the baking tray in the oven and roast for 30 minutes until the vegetables are soft and beginning to brown.
4. Once cooked, let the vegetables cool slightly, then take the peel off the tomatoes. Discard the tomato peel, garlic, sage and rosemary. The garlic and herbs are only used to infuse the squash with flavour – you won’t need them in the soup as they will be somewhat coarse and bitter on the tongue.
5. Heat the stock in a soup pan and bring to the boil. Add the pasta, cinnamon and chilli flakes, and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
6. Add the roasted vegetables and beans, and simmer for a further 5 minutes until the pasta is cooked. Add more seasoning to taste.
7. Ladle the soup in individual bowls, and sprinkle with parsley, cheese and, if desired, a little more olive oil.

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