Description
Hearty pumpkin chili delivers a robust blend of seasonal warmth and Mexican-inspired spices. Comforting ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights palates with you enjoying each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground spicy Italian sausage
- 15 oz (425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz (425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz (425 g) pumpkin puree
- 2 cans 15 oz (425 g) fire-roasted tomatoes, not drained
- 2 ½ cups (595 ml) chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsps chili powder
- 2 tsps ground cumin
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- roasted pumpkin seeds
- sour cream
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- avocado
Instructions
- Sausage Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Crumble Italian sausage and cook until deeply browned, transferring to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Aromatic Vegetable Layer: In the same Dutch oven, sauté onions and red bell peppers until softened and caramelized. Introduce minced garlic and a symphony of spices – cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Toast these seasonings briefly to release their intricate flavors.
- Tomato and Liquid Integration: Add fire-roasted tomatoes, creating a rich base. Blend thoroughly and allow the mixture to simmer gently, encouraging flavor development.
- Bean and Pumpkin Fusion: Incorporate kidney beans, black beans, and pumpkin puree, stirring to ensure uniform distribution. This step creates a robust, hearty texture with complementary earthy notes.
- Liquid Calibration: Pour chicken broth into the mixture, bringing the chili to a brief boil before reducing to a gentle simmer. Cover and let the flavors meld for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finishing and Serving: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and embellish with optional garnishes like roasted pumpkin seeds, sour cream, sharp cheddar, and creamy avocado slices for a complex, textural experience.
Notes
- Optimize Sausage Browning: Ensure thorough browning of sausage to develop deep, rich flavor and remove excess fat, which enhances the overall taste profile of the chili.
- Bloom Spices Strategically: Short 30-second sauté of spices releases essential oils and intensifies their aromatic qualities, creating a more complex and robust flavor foundation.
- Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust chicken broth quantity carefully to achieve desired thickness; simmer uncovered if chili becomes too thin or add more broth if too dense.
- Elevate Serving Presentation: Carefully chosen garnishes like roasted pumpkin seeds, sharp cheddar, and creamy avocado transform this chili from ordinary to extraordinary, adding texture and complementary flavor dimensions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg