Jim's Minestrone Soup

This is a good minestrone soup you can cook in the crock pot. It makes a nice, hearty, delicious meal when served with hot crusty bread and a salad. From Crockery Cookery by Mable Hoffman.

1 lb. beef shank or stew meat
6 C water
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. powdered thyme
2 Tbsp. minced parsley
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes, cut up
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 (16 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained
2 C chopped cabbage
1 C small elbow macaroni, uncooked
1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese

In crock pot, combine beef with water, onion, salt, thyme, parsley, pepper and tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours. Remove beef bones; cut up meat and return to pot. Turn control to high. Add zucchini, beans, cabbage, and macaroni. Cover and cook on high for 30 to 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with cheese. Makes 8-10 servings.