Wash the vegetables and peel the carrots, potatoes, and onions. Cut all the vegetables in small pieces. Pour the water into a large pot and add all the vegetables, except the onions. Cook slowly over medium heat for 1 hour.
Saute the onions in the 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan until golden. Reserve.
After an hour of slow cooking, add the onions, wine, olive oil to taste (up to 1/2 cup), macaroni, tarragon, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Cover the pan and allow soup to simmer for 10 minutes. Serve the minestrone hot, with grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve this soup with a crusty, Italian bread. |