Miscellaneous with shells

12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks) 2 cups finely-chopped yellow onions 3 tart apples , cored and chunked, but not peeled (Jonathan, Winesap or Granny Smith)[...]

1 head garlic 1 cup canola oil 6 cups peeled and diced butternut squash salt and pepper 1 red bell pepper , diced 1/2 head sliced fennel 1 tablespoon finely[...]