Slow Cooker Root Vegetable Stew​ (Hearty Vegetable Soup) Devan Oddman

Slow Cooker Root Vegetable Stew​ (Hearty Vegetable Soup) 

Devan Oddman

1/4 cup olive oil

2 medium yellow onions, large dice

Kosher salt

1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger

1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pinch saffron threads

Freshly ground black pepper

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes (about 3 large), large dice

1 pound carrots (about 4 to 5 medium), peeled and large dice

1 pound parsnips (about 4 medium), peeled and large dice

3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

2 pounds sugar baby pumpkin or butternut squash (about 1 small), peeled, seeded, and large dice

1 pound sweet potatoes (about 2 medium), peeled and large dice

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup golden raisins, also known as sultanas

1 bunch spinach, trimmed and washed (about 4 cups loosely packed)

1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar, plus more as needed

Instructions:

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and cook over medium heat until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the ginger, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, cayenne, saffron, and a pinch of pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker, add the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and broth, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 hours.

Add the pumpkin or squash, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and raisins, season with salt, and stir to combine. Cover and continue to cook on high until a knife easily pierces the vegetables, about 2 hours more, stirring after 1 hour. Add the spinach and gently mix (do not overmix). Let sit until wilted. Gently stir in the vinegar, taste, and season with more salt, pepper, and vinegar as needed.