Savory Pumpkin & Squash Recipe Challenge Recipe #2

This hearty, healthy, and off-the-beaten-path chili recipe comes from contributors Dawn & Matt Koca, who have been featured on this blog as Real Home Cooks. Learn more about them here.

Pumpkin Chili with Turkey, White Beans & Green Apple (Serves 4-6)

By Dawn & Matt Koca

Ingredients

• 1 3lb pie pumpkin, peeled and chopped into 1½ – 2-inch pieces
• 1lb ground turkey
• 1 large white onion, quartered
• 2 15oz cans of white beans (cannellini or great northern), rinsed and drained
• 1 granny smith apple, diced
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (plus more to taste)
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (or more if you like more kick)
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ – ½ cup toasted pepitas for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 (F).  Toss pumpkin and onion in a large bowl with olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper.  Line evenly on a large baking sheet. Cook for 20 minutes. Stir pumpkin and onion and return to the oven for 10 more minutes.
2. While pumpkin and onion are roasting, place ground turkey in a sauté pan on medium heat.  Add 1 tsp of the cumin, ½ tsp of the garlic powder, ¼ tsp of cinnamon and salt and pepper to taste.  Brown turkey until thoroughly cooked, stirring often.
3. Once pumpkin and onion are done roasting, place them in a large soup pot and add broth just until vegetables are covered (3 cups).  Cook on medium-high heat until pumpkin is soft (10-15 minutes).
   

   
4. When the pumpkin is soft, transfer broth, pumpkin, and onion, in batches to a food processor and puree until smooth.  Return to pot.
   

   
5. Place pot back on the stove on medium heat.  Add remaining ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp cumin, another dash of cinnamon, ½ tsp crushed red pepper and salt and pepper to taste.  Add browned turkey, the white beans and apple. Also, add the remaining one cup of broth (or not, depending on desired consistency).
6. Cook on low to medium heat until apples are to your desired texture.
7. Place in serving bowls and top with toasted pepitas.  Some sharp cheddar would be yummy as well! Enjoy!