Minestra di lenticchie e pasta

Minestra di lenticchie e pasta is a traditional soup. It's made with a combination of lentils, tomatoes, ham or bacon, onions, garlic, celery, parsley, basil or mint, seasonings, water, and either pastine or broken spaghetti. The ingredients are cooked in a big pot for about an hour, and the pasta is added to the pot near the end of cooking. This soup is especially popular during winter due to its warming qualities.