Winter Minestrone
1 pound uncooked Italian or pork sausage links, cut into 3/4-inch slices 2 1/2 cups peeled winter squash, such as butternut squash, cut into 1- inch cubes 1 1/2 cups cubed potatoes 2 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 teaspoon dried sage, crushed 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth 1 cup dry white wine 4 cups chopped kale or fresh spinach
In a large skillet cook the sausage until brown; drain well.
In a 5- to 6-quart crockery cooker place squash, potatoes, fennel, onion, garlic, beans, and sage. Top with sausage. Pour broth and wine over all.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Stir in kale or spinach. Stir in kale or spinach. Cover and cook 5 minutes more.
Makes 8 servings.
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