Double Squash Stew Food

SLOW-COOKER SQUASH STEW

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute. Stir in 1/2 cup water, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer the contents of the skillet to a 6-quart slow cooker.
• Add the chickpeas, squash, chard stems (not the leaves), the parmesan rind, if using, 2 teaspoons salt and 7 cups water to the slow cooker. Stir, then cover and cook on low, 8 hours.
• Just before serving, lift the lid and stir in the chard leaves; cover and continue cooking 10 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and stir to slightly break up the squash. Discard the Parmesan rind, if used. Ladle the stew into bowls; top with the grated parmesan, if desired, and serve with bread and/or lemon wedges.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, ras el hanout and cinnamon and cook until the tomato juices are thickened, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, apricots, squash and chickpeas and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the squash is tender, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint, parsley and lemon juice. Remove the cinnamon stick and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve the stew over hot couscous or rice.

BEEF AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEW

Steps:

• In a large soup pot heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, rosemary, and thyme and saute until the onions are tender, about 2 minutes. Toss the beef cubes in salt and pepper and flour. Turn up the heat to med-high and add the beef to the pot. Cook until the beef is browned and golden around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala wine. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir up all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the butternut squash and sun-dried tomatoes and stir to combine. Add enough beef broth to just cover the beef and squash. Bring the stew to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Season the stew with additional salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread alongside.