Butternut Squash Stews

Below, you will find a very simple recipe for a basic Butternut Squash stew -- not very soupy, and great over a whole grain or crusty bread.  Sometimes I have a butternut squash on hand and I want something a little more than the basic stew.  So...along with the simple recipe, there are three "versions" with different flavors, but the same basic ingredients, to suite different tastes.  I hope you have as much fun with these as we have.

Basic Butternut Squash Stew
Serves 6

• 1 lg sweet onion, chopped
• 1 TBLS minced garlic
• 4 cups cubed butternut squash
• 4 cups broth
• 2 cans white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• S&P to taste

-- Saute onion and garlic until soft.  Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until squash is fork-soft.

-- OR: dump it all the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours

This stew has a uniquely Asian-type flare with the use of soy sauce, ginger and coconut extract.  It's very simple but warmly delicious.  Make it on the stove or dump it in the crockpot.

Aromatic Stew
Serves 6

• 1 lg sweet onion, chopped
• 1 TBLS minced garlic
• 4 cups cubed butternut squash or sweet potato
• 4 cups broth
• 2 cans white beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 TBLS soy sauce
• 1 TBLS lemon juice
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8th tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 6oz spinach, chopped, wilted at the end  
• S&P to taste

-- Saute onion and garlic until soft.  Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until squash is fork-soft.

-- OR: dump it all the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours

Elegant Butternut Squash Stew

serves 6

3 leeks, cleaned and chopped
1 TBLS minced garlic
4 cups cubed butternut squash
4 cups broth
2 cans white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp fresh rosemary
1 cup white wine
1 TBLS peach preserves
S&P to taste

-- Saute onion and garlic until soft.  Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until squash is fork-soft.

-- OR: dump it all the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours

Pepper & Kale Butternut Squash Stew

Serves 6

• 1 lg sweet onion, chopped
• 1 leg red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 TBLS minced garlic
• 1 TBLS smoke paprika
• 1 TBLS oregano
• 2 tsp cumin
• 4 cups cubed butternut squash
• 6 cups broth
• 2 cans white or red beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 4 cups loose chopped spinach or kale
• S&P to taste

-- Saute onion and garlic until soft.  Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until squash is fork-soft.

-- OR: dump it all the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours