Minestrone

3 C water
1 pound beef stew meat
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 pint stewed tomatoes
2 tsp salt
1 10-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 C shredded cabbage
1 T dried basil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 C vermicelli
1 16-ounce can garbanzo beans
1 tsp oregano
1 zucchini, sliced

Place all ingredients except zucchini in crock pot. Cover and cook on low 10 to 16 hours or on high 4 - 6 hours. Add zucchini during last hour of cooking. Remove from crock pot.

You can freeze at this point and when ready to serve, thaw and heat until hot and bubbly.

Top with Parmesan cheese.