A Nice Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups diced (1/2 inch) carrots
- 1 cup each diced (1/2 inch) onion, celery and fennel
- 1 cup chopped leek (white part only)
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 6 ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 cups Fresh Vegetable Broth
- 2 large sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 cup chopped (1/2 inch) green beans
- 1 cup diced (1/2 inch) zucchini
- 1/2 cup torn basil leaves

Directions:
- 1.
- Place oil in a pot over low heat.
- Wilt carrots, onion, celery, fennel, and leek, stirring, for 15 minutes.
- Add garlic during the last 5 minutes.
- 2.
- Stir in tomatoes and season with salt and pepper; cook for 3 minutes.
- Add broth, thyme, and 2 tablespoons parsley; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium; simmer for 20 minutes.
- 3.
- Add the green beans, zucchini, and basil; simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in remaining parsley.
- Serve.