Sheila Lukins Blazing Squash Chili Recipes

SQUASH-BLACK BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the chile powders, cumin, coriander, oregano and tomato paste. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are coated in the spice mixture, about 2 minutes, adding a splash of water if the mixture is dry.
• Add 2 cups water, the tomatoes, beans, bay leaves and 1 teaspoon salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and stir in the squash and rutabaga. Partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the chili is slightly thickened, 30 to 40 minutes. (Add up to 1/2 cup water if the chili gets too thick.) Remove the bay leaves and season with salt. Serve with assorted toppings and cornbread.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, 1 minute. Add the bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Pour in the wine and let bubble 1 minute, stirring and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Add the butternut squash, beans, tomatoes and their juice, salsa, 1 cup water, the chili powder, cumin, cocoa, cinnamon and cayenne, if using. Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and the chili begins to thicken, about 1 hour. (If the soup looks too thick while cooking, add up to 1 cup more water.) Serve topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt and some avocado cubes.
• Cook's Note: If you're using dried beans, soak in water overnight, then simmer until just tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours (or cook 4 to 5 hours in a slow cooker on high).

SHEILA LUKINS' BLAZING SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions, garlic and peppers. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have wilted. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, allspice, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute longer, stirring to coat the vegetables well with spices.
• Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, the red wine, butternut squash, orange zest, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the squash is tender. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
• Fold in the kidney beans and simmer 10 minutes longer. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro and parsley. Serve garnished with the scallions.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef and onion, crumbling meat, until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, 6-8 minutes., Add next 5 ingredients; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in water, both types of beans, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Stir in squash; simmer, covered, until squash is tender, 20-25 minutes. Stir in vinegar. , If desired, serve with chopped avocado, Greek yogurt and shredded mozzarella cheese.

BEEF AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook and stir until no pink remains, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Transfer beef to a bowl and sprinkle with salt.
• Add remaining olive oil to the Dutch oven. When hot, add butternut squash and onion. Cook and stir until vegetables begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder and cinnamon; cook for 1 minute.
• Add cooked beef, tomatoes, broth, water, and honey; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until squash is nice and soft and beef is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Add beans and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.