Pumpkin Chili
 
 
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. GROUND BEEF
  • SALT
  • ½ of a small ONION, chopped
  • 3 cloves of GARLIC, minced
  • ½ of a RED PEPPER, chopped
  • 1 JALAPENO PEPPER, de-seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 POBLANO OR BANANA PEPPER, de-seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 can KIDNEY BEANS, drained
  • 1 can CHILI BEANS
  • 1 can BLACK BEANS, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can FIRE ROASTED DICED TOMATOES
  • 1 can DICED TOMATOES
  • 1 can ROTEL TOMATOES
  • 1 can TOMATO SOUP
  • 1 (tomato soup) can of WATER
  • 1 cup PUMPKIN PUREE
  • 1½ Tablespoon CUMIN
  • 1 Tablespoon CHILI POWDER
  • ¼ teaspoon CAYENNE PEPPER
  • ¼ teaspoon BLACK PEPPER
  • ½ teaspoon SALT (or to taste)
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, add ground beef and sprinkle liberally with salt. Break up with spoon, let cook over medium heat until browned. Turn over and let brown on other side. You want the meat not just to be cooked, to actually be golden brown – it adds a lot of flavor.
  2. Add onion, garlic and all of the peppers. Cook until tender.
  3. Dump in the beans, tomatoes, soup, water and pumpkin. Stir to combine.
  4. Add spices. Stir again. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer on low for about 30 minutes to an hour. Stirring occasionally. (Alternatively, you could put everything in the crock pot after cooking the meat/onion/peppers and cook on low for a few hours.)
  5. Remove from heat. Let cool and place in fridge overnight. Reheat on stove top or in crock pot if desired. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and fritos (our favorite).
Notes
*When cutting jalapeno, poblano or banana peppers, use caution and wear gloves if possible and wash hands thoroughly when finished.
*Feel free to use whichever combination of peppers you have on hand.
*Getting the meat REALLY brown is important as it adds another layer of flavor to the chili.
*It will be great if you eat it right away, but it will be better if you leave it overnight. Letting it sit overnight helps the flavors to come together.
Recipe by Crumbs and Chaos at http://www.crumbsandchaos.dreamhosters.com/2015/10/pumpkin-chili/