Winter Minestrone

Makes 8 servings
Prep: 40 minutes
Cook: 8 to 10 hours plus 5 minutes

Ingredients

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

Directions

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. Cover and cook 5 minutes more. Makes 8 servings.