Cooking : Aunt Rita's Italian Stew

Ingredients
1 pound mild Italian sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 yellow summer squash, thinly sliced
2 zucchini, thinly sliced
2 carrots, thinly sliced (optional)
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style stewed tomatoes
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook the sausage with onion and garlic in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat, until the meat is browned, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Mix in the summer squash, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, and stewed tomatoes, reduce heat to medium-low, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and serve.