Mediterranean Vegetable Soup

• 1 large onion
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large potato
• 1 medium zucchini
• 2 C water
• 1 (15oz) can ready-cut tomatoes
• 10 strands uncooked spaghetti
• 1/4 C fresh or frozen (not thawed) peas
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• dash salt
• 1 large egg
• grated parmesan cheese

1. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Heat the oil in a medium-size pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften. While it is cooking, peel the potato and cut it into 1/2 inch cubes.
2. Add the potato to the pot and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The potato will begin to soften, and the onion will be very soft. While the potato is cooking, wash the zucchini, trim and discard the ends and thinly slice.
3. When the onion/potato mixture has cooked for 10 minutes, add the zucchini, water and all but 4 chunks of the tomatoes, leaving these pieces and the juice in the can for use later in the recipe.
4. Break the spaghetti into 2 inch pieces, add to the pot and stir. Return the soup to a boil over high heat. Turn down the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Add the peas and cook for another 5 minutes.
5. While the peas are heating, peel and finely chop the garlic and add to the tomato chunks and juice in the can. Add the basil, black pepper, salt and egg to the can, beat thoroughly and set aside.
6. When the soup has finished cooking, add 3 Tbsp of hot soup to the can containing the tomato mixture and stir. Add the can contents to the soup. Heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly, just until the soup thickens. Remove from the heat, ladle into bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Robyn's notes: I had tomato soup today, but he really liked this. He doesn't like his potatoes peeled, so I left the skin on when I cut it up.