Pumpkin Chili with beef

OK, so let me start out by saying, I never thought I was a fan of pumpkin.

Don't get me wrong, I love pumpkin pie, just as much as the other guy.

I just didn't think that I would like it savory. As an experiment I made a Pumpkin Bisque.

Boy was that good!

This recipe came about because I had an extra can of pumpkin.

The hubster was enjoying watching a 49ers game a couple of weekends ago.

I decided to make him some guy food. I think chili is the quintessential guy food meal.

Don't you think?

Anyhow, I tossed that extra can of pumpkin in to the crockpot.

With all the other stuff in the chili, I didn't think that much about it.

Boy was that good.

Everyone kept asking what was in it?

They were very surprised to find out it was pumpkin.

I wonder what other things I can make with pumpkin.

Pumpkin Chili with Beef

• 3 lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion
• 2 bell peppers
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 can tomato paste
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups chicken stock

Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Cook until no longer pink. Add onion and bell pepper. Saute until onions are translucent about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another two minutes. Pour everything from the skillet into the slow cooker. Add pumpkin, tomato paste, beans, chili powder, chipotle powder, cumin, salt and stock. Cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours. Serve hot with cheddar cheese or crumbled tortilla chips.

Peace be with you,

Veronica