Slow cooker butternut squash stew with turkey sausage recipe

Butternut squash soup recipes are plentiful this time of year, but --as good as they are-- they're a little out of sync with the season. In the summer, light soups are just the thing for hot weather. When autumn's brisk chill blows in, though, our bodies usually crave something warming and hearty to soothe our souls.

For those evenings when a squash soup or a squash bisque just won't cut it, serve up a stew that's considerably more satisfying. This earthy stew fits the bill, with big chunks of butternut squash, filling potatoes, and heart-healthy turkey sausage.

If you haven't broken out the crock-pot yet for cooking easy-as-pie autumn meals, what are you waiting for? Leave this stew to slowly simmer in the slow cooker while you take care of your Fall gardening, go pumpkin shopping, or take a walk to enjoy the beautifully crisp weather.

You can also worry less about the calories and fat with this squash recipe. The seasonings allow the rich, savory taste of the butternut squash to come through, without all the butter some baked squashes are drowned in.

While this recipe calls for just a bit of advance preparation --the turkey sausage and onions are briefly browned in a skillet before tossing in the crock-pot-- it can be skipped if you're pressed for time. Browning the meat first allows for a better texture to the finished product, though, so it's worth the extra step if you can manage the time.

Serve as a complete meal with a dense, whole grain, rustic bread to complement the stew's earthy flavors.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Stew with Turkey Sausage Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. fresh butternut squash, peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 potato, cut into cubes
• 4 oz baby carrots (about 12)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cut green beans
• 1 can beef broth
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary (1 tsp dried)
• 1/4 lb turkey kielbasa, cut into thick slices
• 1 cup pearl onions, peeled

Directions: Combine all ingredients except kielbasa and onions in the crock of your slow cooker. Briefly cook the kielbasa and the onions in a skillet with non-stick spray until both are slightly browned (3-5 minutes). Add the sausage and onions to the slow cooker and cover. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours, until squash is tender.

Note: If the stew has too much liquid when cooking time has ended, cook a little longer with the lid removed, to evaporate any excess moisture. (Use this tip for any slow cooker recipes.)

Fresh Produce Resources in Knoxville, TN

Farm Fresh Produce (Sutherland Ave.)

Garden Fresh Market (Chapman Hwy)

Earth Fare (Bearden and Turkey Creek)

Fresh Market  (Bearden and Farragut)

Three Rivers Market (North Knoxville)

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