Sausage and Butternut Squash Crock Comfort
Sausage and Butternut Squash Crock Comfort is versatile, not only in its preparation but also in its serving. It can be enjoyed on its own, accompanied by crusty bread to soak up the sauce, or served over rice or grains for a more filling meal. It's a cozy embrace in the form of food, perfect for chilly evenings when simplicity and taste are of utmost importance.
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 15 ounce tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tbsp dried basil
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes crushed
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 sea salt
- 1 red pepper roasted
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage meat
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 1 2-lb. butterut squash peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 small zucchini chopped
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, place first 9 ingredients (tomato sauce through red pepper); process until smooth.
- With the blender or food processor running, slowly add the coconut oil; blend well then set aside
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sausage meat; cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add onion; cook until soft and sausage meat is cooked through.
- Reduce skillet heat to low.
- Add the sauce from the blender or food processor; bring mixture to a simmer, cook for 2 to 4 minutes then remove from heat.
- Spoon a thin layer of meat mixture on the bottom of a large crock cooker
- Next, layer half of the squash and zucchini, then one-third of the meat mixture; repeat this process, finishing with the remaining meat mixture.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours.