Happy Labor Day! I hope everyone is (not) laboring, and has the day off work to take it easy and enjoy the end of summer! I, for one, am working, but hey that’s ok.
This weeks crockpot recipe was kind of a test – I wanted to see if I could “roast” vegetables in the crockpot. I had a butternut squash, and some sweet potatoes, and I decided to see if they would cook up in the crockpot. I must have been in a fall mood, because I added some apple juice.
Result – delicious!! The apple juice really flavored the vegetables wonderfully, and they turned out great! They were a little mushy, but it turned out to be a great side dish! I would definitely do this again – it was a quick and easy way to cook some root vegetables. Honestly, I get butternut squash a lot, but half the time I just leave it on the kitchen counter because I don’t have the time to cook it in the oven. So this was definitely a winner for me!
As I was cutting the sweet potato, I started getting excited for my potatoes! I didn’t plant any sweet potatoes this year, maybe next year! Here are my potatoes right now -
Soon I’ll have to see what is inside those containers!!
Apple Infused Root Vegetables in the Crockpot
Print this recipe!
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed and cubed
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
2 medium beets, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup apple juice
salt and pepper to taste
Peel and dice the squash and sweet potato. I took a picture of 2 sweet potatoes, but I only used one because it was so big!
Do the same the beets – peel and dice it, and add to the crockpot. I used some beets from our farmers market. Isn’t this so cool – my beet is smiling!!
Add the apple juice, and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours – I cooked mine on high for about 4 hours and they were done perfectly. To test for doneness, just poke with a fork and see if they are tender.
I added some chopped sunflower seeds for some crunch on top.
Can you spot the beets?
Simple and delicious!
Got any plans for Labor Day? Enjoy your day, whatever you are doing!
This is being shared with the Vegan or Gluten Free Recipe Swap on My Vegan Gluten Free Life, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, and Fat Tuesday.
Happy Labor Day!
Emily Woodhouse recently posted..RedX
I have a butternut squash and some sweet potatoes in the pantry and this would be perfect. I may have to add some apple since we just picked 20 pounds of apples yesterday! Hope you have a good day Jane!
Aimee recently posted..Friend Makin’ Mondays: Tech Questions
Nice! I’m jealous of all your apples! I did think of adding some apples, but I didn’t have any
Have a great day!
What a great idea, and love the apple juice for sweeting. I’ve been dying to hear how those trash barrel potatoes were doing. Looks good so far. And yes, I could spot the beets. Happy Holiday. I’m being lazy and planning a Santa Maria Tri Tip on the grill. yikes….never done that. Wish me luck. Hugs to Sammy
Lea Ann recently posted..Eggplant Caponata
Sounds yummy! I’m a little scared to dig in the trash cans! One of them did not grow anything … but the others do have some plants coming out of them. Probably in the next week or so I will see how they did! Have a great holiday
I am excited to see what is in those trash cans too
Your roasted veggies look delicious, total comfort food.
Rhonda recently posted..Greek Chicken Pasta
I’m thinking of dumping them out in a few weeks to see what is inside, so I will keep you posted!
Have a great day!
What a beautiful meal! Now I’m really hungry for sweet potatoes. And you meal looks so fallish! love,andrea
I do love the combination of apple and winter squash! I can smell this cooking. YUM!
mjskit recently posted..Strawberry Tomato Salad with Mint
It did smell so good! I can see myself doing this a lot in the winter!
I worked too–but this isn’t one of the holidays that makes me sad to work. Your veggies sound so good-what a good idea to do them in the crockpot! I love your smiling beet, too.
Thanks!
I thought the beet was super cute! I didn’t mind too much working either … both hubby and I have jobs that no matter if it is a holiday or not, if we are scheduled to work – we have to work! So at least one of us wasn’t at home while the other worked! 