Butternut Squash And Tomatoes For Crock Pot - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 -3 teaspoon olive oil
1 large leek, white and light green part, chopped (about 3 cups)
1 medium butternut squash, split, scraped, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (about 6 cups)
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (to taste)
2 teaspoons herbes de provence
1 (15 ounce) can navy beans, drained and rinsed (great white)
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel Tomatoes (14 ounce okay)
2 cups lowfat mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (optional, a vegetarian substitute can be used)

Preparation

Heat oil in non-stick skillet. Add chopped leek and saute for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Mix with butternut squash chunks and add to crockpot. (Tip - half squash with sharp knife, scrape clean with spoon, and heat in 350 degree Fahrenheit oven on baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, cut side down, for 15 minutes. Let cool, then peel and cut into chunks).
Add salt and pepper (to taste) and 2 teaspoons herbes de provence.
Top with beans and tomatoes, in that order. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours. Can be kept warm for up to 2 hours.
Serve topped with mozzarella cheese and sprinkled with crumbled bacon, if desired.