Butternut Squash Sausage Soup

This is a hearty, healthy, versatile soup so feel free to substitute vegetables depending on what you like of happen to have on hand.  Fresh out of  Cannellini beans? Try another bean, potatoes or pasta! 

Serves: 6 two cup servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

 INGREDIENTS:

1 hot Italian sausage link

1 mild Italian sausage link

1 ½ cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 cups butternut squash cut into small cubes

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

8 cups chicken stock

1 15 oz. can good quality diced tomatoes

4 cups stemmed packed kale, cut or torn into bite size pieces

1 15 oz. can Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/3 cup chopped flat Italian parsley

 INSTRUCTIONS:

Remove sausage from casings and brown in a large pot. 

Add onion, celery and pepper and sauté about 5 minutes. 

Add garlic, squash and spices. 

Sauté a few minutes on high and add stock, and tomatoes. 

Simmer for 20 minutes and add beans, kale and parsley. 

Simmer 30 minutes and serve topped with grated parmesan cheese.