FALL VEGETABLE SLOPPY JOES

Fall Vegetable Sloppy Joes image

I make this dish in the fall and sneak grated vegetables into the sloppy joe mixture. It's especially handy when children don't like to eat their vegetables! Just walk away until the end of the day and let the slow cooker do all the work. Also delicious: Top the filling with a little shredded cheese before serving. -Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 4h30m

Yield 18 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

8 bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups shredded peeled butternut squash
2 medium parsnips, peeled and shredded
2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
1 can (12 ounces) cola
1 can (8 ounces) tomato paste
1 cup water
1/3 cup honey mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon pepper
18 hamburger buns, split

Steps:

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings. In the same skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, 10-12 minutes; crumble beef; drain. , Transfer to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Stir in squash, parsnips, carrots, cola, tomato paste, water, mustard and seasonings. Cook, covered, on low until vegetables are tender, 4-5 hours. Stir in bacon. Serve on buns., Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 275 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 526mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges