A nurturing stew for the child in you.
Add stock powder to water and bring to a boil in a medium saucepan.
Add the carrots; decrease heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the carrots are just tender.
Add the zucchini, corn and squash. Simmer for another 5 minutes, or until all the vegetables are perfectly tender.
Stir in the peas, tofu, and cooked pasta, and simmer for just a couple of minutes longer.
Serve hot or very warm.
Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese over the soup just before serving (fat content will increase slightly).
Non-vegetarian: Substitute chicken broth and some leftover smoked chicken for the vegetable broth and tofu (fat content will increase slightly).
Serving suggestions and garnishes not included in recipe analysis.
Pastina is the generic name for tiny pasta usually used in soups. Use pasta alphabets, little shells or tiny circles in this recipe.