Spicy Italian Soup

Place sausage into a Dutch oven and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

As sausage cooks, peel and slice carrots and dice fennel. Add these to the pot when the sausage is about done. Cook an additional 3-5 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables begin to brown. Add garlic and stir 1 minute longer.

Stir tomatoes and stock into sausage mixture. Add the beans and the rest of the ingredients (everything except the basil).

Simmer stew, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender
Chop basil and add to pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 20 minutes longer.