With our first snowfall of the season yesterday, it sure feels like winter here in the Northeast! To keep warm, I love wearing cozy layers, snuggling up by the fireplace, and, most importantly, eating lots of warming foods! Eating seasonally is a wonderful practice with regards to both specific foods and their temperatures. I find it much more comforting to eat a warm bowl of spiced pumpkin oatmeal for breakfast on a cold fall or winter morning than an icy smoothie bowl. The same goes for savory meals. Soups, stews, and warm cooked meals with squash and potatoes are often more nurturing than raw salads with tomatoes and berries (summer produce) during this time of year. Which brings me to today’s recipe: Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili.
Not only is this meal extremely flavorful and warming due to its use of seasonal produce and spices, it is also packed with nutritional value! We have butternut squash with beta carotene, black beans with fiber and protein, and onion, garlic, and spices with anti-inflammatory properties. Together, these ingredients combine to make one big, delicious bowl of nourishment! I highly recommend topping each bowl with some creamy avocado for even more nutrients and deliciousness, but that’s just me.
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 3 cups butternut squash cubes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cups cooked black beans may be from 2- 15 oz. cans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced avocado, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and squash and cook 5-10 minutes, stirring, frequently, until the onion is translucent. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sea salt, and cook 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the beans, tomatoes (with liquid), and broth. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, until the squash is tender and the chili is thick and hearty.
- Remove from heat, garnish with cilantro, and serve with some creamy avocado and crispy tortilla chips! Enjoy!
