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Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili

Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili

Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili | TeaspoonofSpice.com

Week #26 into my CSA farm share (shout to Lancaster Fresh Farm Coop!) and you start to run out of ideas. While I was excited for the first squash of the season – a cute gold acorn squash, the endless peppers and onions were throwing me for a loop (even though I know I’ll be pining for them by next month.) I’ve made pumpkin chili before so I figured why not an acorn squash farmshare chili including those peppers and onions.

I routinely roast my bell and hot peppers – it’s an extra step but so worth it for the depth of flavor they give. And since I’m not super confident in my knife skills (a.k.a. hacking away at a thick skinned gourd), I opted to simply cut the squash in half, plop it in a greased baking pan and roast for 45 minutes. In hindsight, I should have scooped out the seeds before roasting (and then roasted them on their own like pumpkin seeds.) For the chili, I scooped out the squash flesh and because it was super soft, it pretty much “melted” into the chili. While I’m not really one for sneaking veggies into recipes, this is a GREAT way to get some extra nutrients like fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, Vitamin A, magnesium into a dish – especially for those who don’t think they like squash!

Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili | TeaspoonofSpice.com

This is a super versatile chili – I used pinto beans but you could use any kind you like; kidney, black, cannellini or even chick peas. Next time, I’d love to add in some lean ground turkey or turkey sausage. And you could also throw in just about any veggie from your fall farmshare or farmer’s market trip. Next time, I may even try beets.

Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili | TeaspoonofSpice.com

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Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili | TeaspoonofSpice.com

Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili


  • Author: by Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD
  • Yield: 6 cups 1x

Description

Butternut or acorn squash from your CSA farm share or farmer’s market can make for a terrific chili recipe when the weather turns cooler come fall.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large bell pepper, seeded, skinned and roasted
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded, skinned and roasted
  • 1 (28 ounce) can of no-salt added diced tomatoes
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans low sodium pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • Plain Greek yogurt
  • Shredded cheese
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds. Place cut sided down in a greased baking pan and roast for about 45 minutes (until soft) at 350 degrees F. Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes. Remove soft flesh and mash in bowl. Set aside.
  2. In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute.
  3. Chop up roasted peppers and add to pot. Sauté another minute.
  4. Add squash, tomatoes, beans, chili powder and cumin. Stir well and cover; cook on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes.
  5. Serve with dollop of plan Greek yogurt, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro.

Notes

Let chili sit in refrigerator overnight for the flavors to meld together. It tastes even better as leftovers!

For lots of chili inspiration, check out Cooking Light’s Top Rated Chili Recipes (Now I’m itching to make the White Turkey Chili.)

SRC: Slow Cooker Acorn Squash Chili « Brooklyn Locavore

Monday 19th of January 2015

[…] I saw Deanna’s recipe for Acorn Squash Farm Share Chili I couldn’t resist. I too had acquired an acorn squash near the end of the season and […]

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy

Wednesday 5th of February 2014

I made this chili a couple nights ago and am still eating the leftovers. It is FANTASTIC! I think it's my favorite chili. I did think that it was a bit too much much chipotle powder, I had to add another can of tomatoes to tone down the heat and it's still pretty spicy. I also used a butternut squash, it turned out fantastic. I totally would love to add zucchini to it next time. Thanks for a great recipe!!

Oh My Veggies (@ohmyveggies)

Saturday 13th of October 2012

I love acorn squash--it's such a pleasant-tasting versatile little squash. :) This looks like a fabulous way to use it!

Deanna

Saturday 13th of October 2012

I use to be butternut squash-only kind of gal but the acorn changed my mind :)

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