In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker combine broth, dried tomatoes, garlic, and oregano. Using a large sharp knife, carefully cut squash in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. Arrange squash halves in cooker, cutting to fit if necessary. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or until squash is very tender. ***Alternatively - if you are in a hurry (like I always am) you can cook the squash in the oven at 350°F for about 35-40 minutes in a 13x9 baking dish with a small amount of water in the bottom of the pan to keep it from drying out.

If you are adding the sausage to this dish and cooking the squash in the oven, now is when you would slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces and brown in a skillet. Carefully remove squash from cooker or oven. When cool enough to handle, use a fork to shred and separate squash into strands.

If using low-heat setting, turn cooker to high-heat setting. Stir squash strands and fresh tomatoes (and sausage if using) into broth mixture in cooker. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes more or just until heated through.