MINESTRA 
1 lb. Great Northern white beans, washed, picked over, drained
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tbsp. oregano
2 lg. heads escarole, cut to salad size
3 cloves whole garlic
1/4 c. olive oil
Salt and pepper
10 links Italian sausage
Italian bread

In large pot boil 4 cups water, beans, chopped garlic, oregano, 1 teaspoon pepper for 45 minutes, or until beans are almost tender. Add sausage and continue to boil 30 minutes (until sausage is cooked).

In a pressure cooker, place olive oil and garlic on bottom of pot (no steamer screen) and brown garlic. Add the washed and cut escarole, 1/2 cup water, and salt to taste. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Remove and add to bean mixture (use water from steamed escarole, if necessary). Cook about 5 minutes. Serve hot with Italian bread.

If you do not have a pressure cooker, then boil escarole until tender and saute with garlic and oil (this method will take longer).

Serves 6.

 

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