Italian Inspired Butternut Squash Stew | Vegetarian

I love butternut squash, in particular, because it has such a mellow and sweet taste. It’s wonderful in stews, soups, or served simply as a side dish.  In the Butternut Squash Stew recipe below, you can substitute butternut squash for any other squash you prefer including zucchini.

Enjoy this recipe!

Butternut Squash Stew Recipe – Vegetarian

Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski

Delicious comfort food is perfect for Fall

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Entree, Vegetables

Servings 2 -4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 1/2 lbs Butternut squash peeled seeded and cut into 1″ cubes
• 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara
• 1/3 cup vegetable broth
• 4-6 Black olives pitted and sliced in half
• 1 tsp sage fresh chopped
• pinch nutmeg ground or grated
• dash hot pepper sauce
• 1 cup cannellini beans white kidney cooked, rinsed and drained
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• In a large, heavy saucepan, over medium heat, heat the oil and saute the onions and garlic for about 2 minutes or until soft.
• Add the Squash, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, olives, sage, nutmeg, and hot pepper sauce. Cover and simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
• Add the beans, salt and pepper and simmer for about 2 minutes until the beans are heated.
• This stew tastes even better the next day and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keep in mind that fall squash out-powers their summer cousins in nutrients. This is the type of dish that would be served in a village in Italy. It’s full-bodied, nourishing, and colorful.

I cooked the vegetables in a small amount of olive oil and simmered the beans in natural vegetable broth. The garlic, sage, and tiny drops of hot pepper flavor it beautifully.

Serve this stew in a beautiful soup tureen with a nice piece of crusty artisan bread, or a crisp dinner salad.

Butternut Squash is low-fat, high in fiber, and heart-friendly. It’s high in antioxidants, and beta-carotene, and is anti-inflammatory.  If you’re suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, or want to prevent certain cancers, you may want to consider eating more squash.

What’s your favorite fall vegetable and how do you like to cook it? Please leave a comment below.