Menestrón

Menestrón is a Peruvian soup that is an adaptation of the famous Italian minestrone. The soup became popular in Peru with the first Italian immigrants, and over time, it was adapted for local palates using a variety of Peruvian ingredients that it doesn't have a lot in common with the Italian classic anymore. The ingredients vary from region to region, but menestrón is usually prepared with beef stock, beef, local vegetables such as beans, peas, carrots, cabbage, celery, choclo, and potatoes. Interestingly, there are no tomatoes in menestrón. As a replacement for pesto, the Peruvian version contains salsa verde made with a combination of garlic, onions, basil, and spinach, while inside the soup, you will often find chunks of queso fresco. Pasta may also be used in menestrón, either penne, rigatoni, or broken spaghetti. It is recommended to serve menestrón in big bowls and garnish it with parsley or cilantro.