Tortellini Tuscan Stew

Yummy! And a crock pot recipe, so easy and delicious!

1 (2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large zucchini, cut in 1-inch chunks
1 large yellow summer squash, cut in 1-inch chunks
1 large onion, diced
1 large red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
4 ounce(s) thin green beans, trimmed and cut in 2-inch lengths
1 can(s) (28-ounce ) crushed tomatoes
1 can(s) (14 1/2-ounce) vegetable broth
2 tablespoon(s) fresh oregano, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) chopped garlic
3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
1 package(s) (9-ounce) fresh cheese tortellini
1 bag(s) (5-ounce) baby spinach
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients, except tortellini, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, in a large slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 3 hours or low 6 hours. Uncover; turn slow cooker to high and stir in tortellini. Cover: continue to cook 15 minutes, or until pasta is almost tender. Uncover; gently stir in spinach and Parmesan. Cover; cook 5 minutes until spinach is cooked down and tortellini is tender. Smile and enjoy :)

Whipped Butternut Squash

This is a great wintertime side dish. The squash I used for this recipe was about 2.5 pounds, if your squash is bigger/smaller just adjust the ingredients at the end.

1 Butternut Squash- cooked- To cook this whole squash quickly I cut it in half, removed the seeds, and put it on a microwave safe plate and covered it with plastic wrap. I microwaved it for 10 minutes, removed it from the microwave, and let it cool a bit. It was softened but not cooked all the way through yet. I peeled off the skin and cubed up the squash and put it in a pot on the stove with some water (just enough to cover the squash). Let the squash boil for about 10 minutes or until it is easily pierced with a fork.

If you buy already cut up squash then just let it boil for a few minutes until it is soft. (it's easier this way, but cheaper to buy a whole squash).



Drain the squash when it's soft and put it in a mixing bowl. Add the following ingredients:
2 tbsp. Butter
1/2 cup sour cream
a sprinkle (maybe 2 tbsp.) brown sugar


Whip everything together using a hand mixer until everything is smooth. If you want it creamier add more sour cream, sweeter add more brown sugar. Garnish with cinnamon :)