Swamp Sausage with Spicy Southern Vegetables
This stew is deliciously reminiscent of gumbo, which made us think of Louisiana--thus the Swamp Sausage name (add up to 1 cup chopped okra to make it even more Swampy). If you want even more color and nutrition, add 1 – 2 cups of baby spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. sweet Italian sausage (turkey, pork, or meatless) (use wheat/gluten-free, if needed), removed from casing if using bulk sausage, or diced, if not
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 14 1/2 oz. diced fire-roasted tomatoes or use regular diced tomatoes if you don’t want this dish to be spicy, with their liquid
- 1 cup fresh flat leaf parsley chopped, or use 1 Tbsp. dried
Instructions
- In a heavy skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat for about 5 minutes, then add the onions, peppers, and celery, and continue cooking for 5 – 7 more minutes until they are tender.
- Mix in the spices, then add the tomato paste and tomatoes, and simmer it, stirring occasionally for 15 – 30 minutes (the flavor will intensify and mixture will thicken with time. If the sauce is getting too thick or dry, partially cover the skillet.)
- Stir in the parsley, remove it from the heat, and serve immediately, seasoned with salt and pepper, refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Slow Cooker Directions
- There's no need to brown the sausage and vegetables in advance; however, you may if you wish to enhance the flavor. Add all ingredients except the parsley to the slow cooker, give it a stir and cook on low for 7 - 8 hours or on high for 3 - 4 hours. Stir in the parsley just before serving. (Slow cooker cooking times may vary—Get to know your slow cooker and, if necessary, adjust cooking times accordingly.)
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Remove the sausage from the casing if necessary or dice the sausage and refrigerate, dice the onion and the bell pepper, slice the celery, combine the spices, chop the parsley, or fully prepare and refrigerate or freeze the dish.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Add 1 diced jalapeno or other hot pepper with the other vegetables, use the fire-roasted tomatoes, serve it with hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco.
Tip: To save time, chop the vegetables while the sausage is browning.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values): Calories 215, Total Fat: 11g, 16.5%; Saturated Fat: 3g, 13%; Cholesterol: 63mg, 21%; Sodium: 903mg, 37.5%; Total Carbohydrate: 11g, 3.5%; Dietary Fiber: 4g, 13.5%; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 19g
Like this recipe? Check out The Scramble's family-friendly meal plans to see just how simple getting dinner on the table can be!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!