Pumpkin Cacao Chili

As fall begins to set in our seasonal produce changes and the warm, wintery foods that comfort us find their way back onto our tables. Winter squashes, pumpkins, stews, soups, nourishing + nutrient dense. We all crave a warm meal that deeply satisfies.

Pumpkins are not only for decorating, they have countless nutritional benefits + they are delicious! This Pumpkin Cacao Chili is one of our favorite recipes with pumpkin that has both a savory + sweet flavor. The spices of the chili bring out the flavor of the meat while the pumpkin adds this wonderful sweetness that rounds the dish out perfectly.

Pumpkins and other winter squashes can seem so difficult to cook but if you simply place the pumpkin in your oven whole and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour or until soft then you can very easily cut it open without any strain. You can learn to include these nutrient dense foods into your meals regularly with this technique - plus make baby's first purees with squash like this.

Recipe:

1 small pumpkin

1 large onion

3-4 cloves garlic

2T ghee

1lb stew meat, grass-fed

32oz canned diced tomatoes

1 green bell pepper

1T paprika

2T chili powder

1T chipotle powder

1T cinnamon

1T cacao powder

1t sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

1. Get the pumpkin in the oven at 350 degrees. We suggest using a glass pan and puncturing the pumpkin with a knife a few times. Cook for 30-45 minutes.

2. While it's baking dice onions, bell pepper + garlic.

3. Heat the ghee in your stove top pan and add diced vegetables + stew meat. Saute on medium for about 10 minutes.

4.. Add spices + canned tomatoes. Mix well.

5. Cover, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Let flavors mingle while meat + vegetables cook for about 3-4 hours (you can also use a crock pot if you prefer). The longer you cook the more tender the meat and more vibrant the flavors.

6. When pumpkin is soft + well cooked through the middle remove from the oven.

7. Let cool to the touch and when you can handle it, slice open, scoop out the flesh, remove the skin and add 1inch by 1inch cubes to the chili. Mix in well + enjoy!

This dish is perfect for a seasonal party or fun family dinner. Enjoy served over brown rice or with a side of organic corn tortillas.

Xo Dani and Whitney