inestrone dates back to the days of the Roman empire, and probably to the Roman Republic before that is attributed to an author known as Apicius, and there is an existing copy that dates to the fifth century CE although it is likely that other copies have been in existence since the first century CE, making it almost 2,000 years old. It is a cookbook that gives us an insight into the Roman cuisine and in it there is a soup described that contains the ingredients that feature in a modern day minestrone. Essentially, a minestrone is a soup made to use up leftovers and a typical one contains beans, potatoes, zucchini, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, tomatoes, and perhaps some pasta to give it bulk. There are also specific regional variations such as “Monestrone alla Genovese” which includes pesto or “Minestrone alla Milanese” which had added sage, cabbage, peas, cheese, and rice.
