I have tried quite a few different recipes that state they are a Zuppa Toscana Copy Cat but none of them had much flavor and while they were close I set out to make a soup that is Zuppa Toscana.
In a skillet (preferably cast iron or enameled cast iron) cook bacon until somewhat done and remove (but do not add bacon to the soup, save for a BLT or something).
03Sauté the onion in the bacon rendering until almost caramelized (golden color).
04Remove and put in boiling stock.
05In the same skillet add olive oil and cook Italian sausage (with casings removed).
06Add garlic with the sausage and cook until sausage is done and the consistency of ground hamburger meat.
07Add mixture to the stock.
08By this time check to see if potatoes are cooked by trying to squish them on the side of the stock pot.
09When they are done reduce heat and add cream and Swiss chard, salt, anise, red pepper, black pepper.
10Serve with garlic bread or corn bread (or even better an herbed Parmesan corn bread).