Crock Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Sometimes, an easy soup is the best dish to serve at the Christmas table. The traditional butternut squash is a sample of that dish. With just a few ingredients placed into a crock pot, this dish can be forgotten about until dinner time.  Butternut is a healthy root vegetable and when used in a soup is an excellent choice for a big, healthy meal.

Ingredients:
3 cups chicken broth
3 cups butternut squash fresh or frozen
1 carrot, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbs olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
I use the frozen butternut squash sold at Costco to save time for me. If you use a fresh one, peel it and cut into 1 inch cubes.
In a nonstick skillet, heat oil. Add garlic, onions, and celery, Stir and cook until softened, Season with salt and pepper. This process boosts the flavor for the soup.

Place all the ingredients into the crock pot. Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours. or until vegetables are soft.

 Use a handheld mixer to blend soup to smooth. Adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add cream or half-and-half to the soup if you want a creamier taste.

 Pour into individual bowls and sprinkle with some fresh chopped parsley and serve.