Pumpkin Chili

My sister, Meggan, sent an email around in 2008 with a recipe for Pumpkin Chili and Pumpkin Cornbread.  They were both phenomenal!

I tweaked it a little here (more garlic, more pumpkin, no bell pepper), added some things (like tomato sauce and kidney beans) and now we have a chili favorite.

It's usually one of the first ones gone at a pot luck and people don't even know they are eating pumpkin in it!!

 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 chopped onion

2-3 cloves fresh minced garlic

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with liquid

1 14 oz can tomato sauce

1/2 - 1 small can pure pumpkin (use 1/2 the can if you are making the cornbread with it, otherwise put it all in)

3 14.5 oz cans kidney beans

1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder

2 Tsp cumin

salt & pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Brown ground beef with onion and garlic.  Drain off grease.  Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, pumpkin, beans and spices. Cover and simmer 20-30 minutes. 

 

*Add more chili powder and cumin if it's too bland for you.  My kids don't love it spicy, so this only has a small kick.