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Savory Pumpkin Chili Delight

This savory pumpkin chili combines hearty beef with sweet pumpkin for a unique and flavorful dish. Perfect for cozy autumn evenings, it’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 100 g leek
  • 1 Hokkaido pumpkin (about 450 grams)
  • 1 can kidney beans (about 250 grams)
  • 500 g mixed ground meat (or vegan alternative)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (about 400 grams)
  • Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Chili powder
  • Paprika powder (sweet)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Instructions

  1. Peel the onion and garlic and chop them finely. This should take about 5 minutes. Make sure the pieces are small enough to cook evenly.
  2. Clean and wash the leek, then chop it small as well. This takes about 3 minutes. The leek should be well washed to remove sand and dirt.
  3. Wash the Hokkaido pumpkin, cut it in half, and remove the seeds. Then cut it into small pieces (about 2 cm). This may take about 10 minutes, but the smaller the pieces, the faster they will cook.
  4. Drain the kidney beans in a sieve, which takes about 2 minutes. This helps remove excess liquid.
  5. Heat some oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground meat and fry it until crumbly, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to break up the meat so it cooks evenly.
  6. Add the onions, garlic, leek, and some chili powder (to taste) to the ground meat. Sauté everything for another 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent.
  7. Season everything with salt, pepper, and paprika powder. This should be done right at the beginning to intensify the flavors.
  8. Add the tomato paste and sauté it for 1-2 minutes until aromatic. This will enhance the flavor of the tomato paste.
  9. Pour in 300 ml of water and the diced tomatoes with their juice into the pan. Bring everything to a boil and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
  10. Now it's time to add the pumpkin pieces and the drained beans. Let the chili simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure nothing burns.
  11. After the cooking time, you can taste the chili again and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Make sure the pumpkin is soft but not falling apart.

Nutrition

Keywords: Avoid overcooking the ground meat to keep it juicy. Use a large pan or pot for enough space to stir and simmer. For a spicier dish, add fresh chili peppers or more chili powder gradually.