Pumpkin Chili

Warm up your fall evenings with this hearty pumpkin chili!

This recipe offers a cozy and nutritious twist, packed with lean ground chicken or turkey, fresh veggies, spices, and pumpkin! It’s a delicious way to celebrate the season, perfect for meal prepping or a family dinner. Want a vegetarian option? Swap the meat for more beans or tofu for an equally cozy chili. Enjoy a bowl, and let the flavors of autumn shine!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. organic ground chicken or turkey
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 (15 oz.) cans of kidney beans, drained
• 1 (28 oz.) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 ½ c chopped pumpkin or 1 can pumpkin puree
• 2 tbs. chili powder
• ½ t cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 jalapeno pepper minced (optional)

Directions

1. Over medium heat, cook the beef in a large pot until it’s browned and fully cooked.
2. Stir in the vegetables — onion, pepper, carrots, pumpkin, garlic, and celery — and cook for five minutes.
3. Stir in the beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, and pumpkin puree if using. Season with the spices and jalapeno pepper, if using.
4. Let simmer for one hour before serving.

 If you want a meat-free version, consider adding an additional can of beans or two packages of firm organic tofu.