Vegetable Minestrone

This is one of the great soups of the world. It is a movable feast that has sustained peasants, gourmets and emperors alike since the time of the Borgias (no irony intended here, by the way, it’s not poisonous). This is my version, which you can adapt to suit your shopping; just remember freshness is everything. And do buy the best Parmesan and grate it yourself; the pre-grated stuff in packets is dull.