1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups sliced carrots
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup sliced zucchini
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) "Italian-style" diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
5 cups water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups ham, cut into 3/8-inch pieces
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup water
2 teaspoons ground cumin
4 cups spinach leaves (5 ounces), coarsely chopped

Bring pre-made Ultimate Vegetable Soup (recipe above) to a boil or, if making the Ultimate Vegetable Soup for the first time, melt butter over medium heat in a large sauce pot or Dutch oven. Add carrots and onion and sauté over medium heat until onions are soft, but not brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add zucchini, tomatoes, water, salt and pepper. Next, add ham, black beans, water and cumin and heat throughout. Add spinach and simmer until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.

Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size: 1-3/4 cups