Balsamic Root Vegetables

Source: here, after a google search for "crock pot vegetable side dishes"

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (I probably had closer to 2 lbs)
1 pound parsnips (I think my parsnips came out to a little over a pound)
1 pound carrots
2 large red onions, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper (left it out on accident and it was fine - you could just add pepper at the table, if you'd like)
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (bought it, but totally forgot to add it - would've looked nice, I think, but otherwise was not missed)

Directions:
Peel first 3 ingredients, and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Combine parsnips, carrots, onions, and cranberries in a lightly greased 6-qt. slow cooker; layer sweet potatoes over top.  (I didn't follow this layering technique - just threw everything in together.)

Whisk together sugar and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl; pour over vegetable mixture. (Do not stir.)

Cover and cook on high 4 to 5 hours or until vegetables are tender. Toss with parsley just before serving.

Notes:
I was assigned a vegetable side for Thanksgiving with the Blanchards (which happened on the Sunday before) and I remembered that last year the oven was quite occupied before the big meal.  In an effort to avoid waiting for vegetables to cook in a crowded oven or stove top, I decided to utilize the trusty crock pot.  After googling recipes for vegetable sides cooked in a slow cooker, I saw this one first thing.  It looked good, and with Laurel's encouragement, I decided to give it a try.  I admit I felt a little nervous trying a brand new recipe for a big family dinner, but Kim's excitement over the ingredient list gave me hope that it wouldn't be a huge flop.  I'd never bought or eaten parsnips before, but they turned out to be delicious.  And I'm glad Kim talked me into using both red onions; it definitely wasn't too oniony and they cooked up nice and sweet.  This was a hit and totally delicious!