basil topped garden vegetable soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 - carrots, diced
• 1 - leek, white part only, slice & then rinse in a bowl of water, drain & dry off
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 3 - red potatoes, quartered
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 9 cups water (can substitute broth, stock, for part of the water)
• 2 small zucchini, chopped
• 1 cup green beans
• 1/2 cup ditalini pasta (or another small pasta)
• 2 - plum or italian tomatoes, peeled, deseeded & chopped
• BASIL TOPPING
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated or vegetarian replacement
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper