Crock Pot soup - Serves 4-6

Prep time: 45 minutes Crock time: 3-4 hours

The Three Sisters of Corn, Squash, and Beans were often planted together by the native North American tribes. The Corn would grow up, the Beans would spiral around the cornstalk, and the Squash leaves would provide ground cover against weeds. The 3 plants would also share some nutrients in the soil.

The Three Sisters planting method is featured on the reverse of the 2009 US Sacajawea Native American dollar coin.

Step 1: Ingredients

1 Butternut Squash – choose one with a short thick neck for easier handling

1 can of Great Northern White Beans, undrained

1 can Whole Kernel Corn, undrained

1 small or medium White Onion, chopped (about the same size as the beans)

1/2 stick Butter divided (¼ 1/8, 1/8)

1 quart (1 liter) whole Milk

Sage, Salt, and Pepper

Non-stick cooking spray (or a little more butter)

Step 2: And So It Begins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (about 180 C)

Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds and strings. Place cut-side down into baking dish with enough water to cover the cut edge of the squash.

Mix chopped onion with 1/8th stick butter cut into smaller pieces. Wrap into an aluminum foil pack.

Bake squash and onions for 40 minutes or until squash is tender.

Step 3: 40 Minutes Later....

Remove squash and onions from oven. Set squash aside to cool for a few minutes.

Lightly coat the inside of crock pot stone with non-stick spray or butter.

Add beans, corn, onion, salt, and pepper. Set to LOW heat.

Scoop out squash meat and mash with ¼ stick butter. Add milk until mash is slightly runny.

Or puree squash and butter with a blender until smooth, adding milk as needed. (About 6 cups or 1.5 L total)

Add squash mash to crock pot. Season with sage. Melt in last 1/8th stick of butter. Add more milk if soup is too thick.

Step 4: Crock Pot Patience

Let heat on LOW for 3-4 hours. Stir as needed. Serve hot in large mugs.

"2009NativeAmericanRev" by United States Mint - United States Mint
Historical Image Library. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009NativeAmericanRev.jpg#/media/File:2009NativeAmericanRev.jpg