Enjoy a Meatless Monday

Roasted Butternut Squash, Corn and Bean Chili

A hearty, spicy and sweet chili made with roasted butternut squash, black and kidney beans and roasted corn. Some swaps include using chicken or beef broth or using both instead of vegetarian broth. Double the recipe for a crowd. This recipe serves 4-5. 

Roasting butternut squash was an extra step but added in sweetness to balance the chipotle flavors. Taste before increasing the spices. I used precut butternut squash as a timesaver and roasted it earlier in the day. Suggested toppings include: crunchy tortilla strips, avocado chunks, dollop  of plain yogurt.  

Like any chili or tomato based soups flavors need to meld and will taste better the second day. I did discover a new product which I really liked. I used part of the bag and put the rest in freezer for another use. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cubed butternut squash
• 1 tablespoon each olive oil and maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped sweet onions
• 3/4 cup diced red and yellow sweet mini peppers
• 3 gatlic cloves, minced 
• 2 cups vegetarian broth or 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup beef broth 
• 1-28 0z. can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tablespoon unsweetned cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup kidney beans, rinsed and drained 
• 1 cup frozen corn, no need to thaw 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a bowl mix butternut squash cubes with oil and syrup and spread evenly out on the baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes.
• In a large soup pot heat olive oil. Saute onions and peppers with spices. Last 2 minutes add in garlic.
• Add to pot cocoa powder, sugar, diced tomatoes, corn and beans. Add in butternut cubes and simmer on a low heat 45-60 minutes.  

George Washington Carver 

He was an American agricultural scientist and inventor who promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion. He was the most prominent black scientist of the early 20th century. To learn more about his scientific endeavors and inventions go to 

https://www.biography.com/scientist/george-washington-carver