Bean Chili in Delicata Squash Boats

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2 min read
Summary

Bean chili served in delicata squash halves is a fun and tasty way to add “boat” loads of nutrition to your plate. Two bean varieties, onions, carrots, kale, bell peppers, and spices simmer together for a hearty lunch or dinner that is packed with protein, fiber, and phytonutrients galore!

Yields2 ServingsPrep Time25 minsCook Time30 minsTotal Time55 mins

Bean Chili in Delicata Squash Boats

Ingredients

 2 delicata squash (peeled, ends removed halved, seeds removed)
 ½ tsp mustard seed
 ½ tsp fennel seed
 ½ medium onion (diced)
 ½ medium organic red bell pepper (seeded and diced)
 1 carrot (chopped)
 3 garlic cloves (minced)
 28 oz organic crushed or diced tomatoes (BPA-free canned)
 1 ½ cups kidney beans (home cooked or BPA-free canned, drained)
 1 ½ cups white beans (home cooked or BPA-free canned, drained)
 2 cups vegetable broth (unsalted, preferably homemade)
 1 cup organic kale (stems removed, chopped)
 2 ½ tsp ground cumin
 2 ½ tsp Ancho chili powder
 1 tsp garlic powder
 ¼ tsp salt (optional)
 ¼ tsp ground black pepper (optional)
 cilantro (optional) chopped, to taste
 nutritional yeast (optional) to taste
 crushed red pepper flakes (optional) to taste

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2

Place the squash on the parchment-lined baking sheet with the inside facing down.

3

Bake for 20–25 minutes (until a fork can easily go through the thickest point).

4

Meanwhile, heat a large stovetop pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the black mustard and fennel seeds, cooking until fragrant, about one minute.

5

Add the onions, peppers, and carrots. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1–2 tablespoons of water at a time as needed to deglaze the pot.

6

Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

7

Add the diced or crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, white beans, and vegetable broth. Stir well.

8

Add the cumin, Ancho chili powder, garlic, salt and black pepper, if using.

9

Bring mixture to a boil then turn down the heat simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the chili starts to thicken.

10

Stir in the kale and remove the chili from the heat.

11

Remove squash from the oven and divide between two serving plates, inside facing up (to form a “boat”).

12

Scoop the desired amount of chili into each bowl.

13

Garnish with cilantro, nutritional yeast, and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.

Chef's Notes

Substitutions
Substitute acorn or butternut squash for delicata squash.

Use fresh organic diced tomatoes in place of canned tomatoes.

For the onion, use red, yellow, or white onion.

Instead of red bell pepper, use orange, yellow, or green bell pepper.

Use beans you love in place of white beans and/or kidney beans.

Substitute another leafy green for kale.

Use parsley or chives in place of cilantro.

Prep Ahead
Make the squash ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before making this recipe.

Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Ingredients

 2 delicata squash (peeled, ends removed halved, seeds removed)
 ½ tsp mustard seed
 ½ tsp fennel seed
 ½ medium onion (diced)
 ½ medium organic red bell pepper (seeded and diced)
 1 carrot (chopped)
 3 garlic cloves (minced)
 28 oz organic crushed or diced tomatoes (BPA-free canned)
 1 ½ cups kidney beans (home cooked or BPA-free canned, drained)
 1 ½ cups white beans (home cooked or BPA-free canned, drained)
 2 cups vegetable broth (unsalted, preferably homemade)
 1 cup organic kale (stems removed, chopped)
 2 ½ tsp ground cumin
 2 ½ tsp Ancho chili powder
 1 tsp garlic powder
 ¼ tsp salt (optional)
 ¼ tsp ground black pepper (optional)
 cilantro (optional) chopped, to taste
 nutritional yeast (optional) to taste
 crushed red pepper flakes (optional) to taste

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2

Place the squash on the parchment-lined baking sheet with the inside facing down.

3

Bake for 20–25 minutes (until a fork can easily go through the thickest point).

4

Meanwhile, heat a large stovetop pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the black mustard and fennel seeds, cooking until fragrant, about one minute.

5

Add the onions, peppers, and carrots. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1–2 tablespoons of water at a time as needed to deglaze the pot.

6

Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

7

Add the diced or crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, white beans, and vegetable broth. Stir well.

8

Add the cumin, Ancho chili powder, garlic, salt and black pepper, if using.

9

Bring mixture to a boil then turn down the heat simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the chili starts to thicken.

10

Stir in the kale and remove the chili from the heat.

11

Remove squash from the oven and divide between two serving plates, inside facing up (to form a “boat”).

12

Scoop the desired amount of chili into each bowl.

13

Garnish with cilantro, nutritional yeast, and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.

Bean Chili in Delicata Squash Boats