Classic Minestrone Soup

Name: Classic Minestrone Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 cup onion (large dice); 1 cup carrot (sliced); 1 cup celery (sliced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 ½ cup green beans (cut into 1 inch pieces); 1 ½ cup zucchini (quartered and sliced); 3 ounces tomato paste; 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth); 30 ounces diced tomatoes (canned undrained); 1 teaspoon thyme (finely chopped); ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon sea salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper; 2 bay leaves; 1 cup ditalini pasta (uncooked); 15 ounces kidney beans (canned, drained and rinsed); 2 cups baby kale (or chopped) (or your favorite green); fresh chopped parsley (garnish -optional); grated Romano or parmesan (garnish -optional)