harvest "fall" vegetable soup

the cooler weather has me craving my fall recipes :)

6 cloves garlic, crushed
4 tbsp olive oil
1 cup minced onion
1 cup sliced celery hearts (tender innermost stalks)
1 cup sliced carrot
1 cup seeded and diced green and yellow zucchini
1 sprig fresh thyme
4 bay leaves
6 cups vegetable stock
1 cup red kidney beans, precooked or canned
1 cup sliced leeks, including part of the green
1 cup squash or pumpkin diced into half-inch cubes
2 cups shredded Savoy cabbage
1/2 cup coarsely chopped Italian parsley
Extra virgin olive oil, for garnish
Grated cheese of your choice for garnish
Salt and pepper

In a stockpot over medium heat, sauté the garlic in olive oil. Before the garlic browns, add onion, celery, carrot, zucchini, thyme, bay leaves and vegetable stock. Simmer for a half-hour, or until the vegetables are soft. Season to taste with salt and pepper and add kidney beans, leeks, squash or pumpkin and cabbage. Simmer for 15 minutes. To serve top with parsley, a drizzle of olive oil and a handful of grated cheese of your choice.