Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
• 3 carrots, diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the oregano, red pepper flakes and sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned, about 10 minutes.
4. Add the chicken broth, butternut squash, carrots, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.
6. Stir in the parsley and serve.

Interesting Facts

• Butternut squash is a type of winter squash, which is the name for varieties of squash that are harvested in late summer or fall and stored for use throughout the winter.
• Spicy Italian sausage is a type of pork sausage that is seasoned with garlic, fennel, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and other spices.