Pumpkin and Turkey Chili

San Jose Mercury-News, Oct. 23, 1996, p. 4F

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey

1 large yellow onion, diced

1 2-1/2 to 3 pound pumpkin, cubed and roasted (see notes)

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 cups tomato sauce (use a thinner one)

1-1/2 cups defatted chicken stock or canned broth

2 tablespoons chili powder (chileheads modify to taste, see notes.)

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped OR 1 teaspoon dried

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon salt (start with 1 teaspoon, increase later if desired)

1 15 ounce can pinto or kidney beans, rinsed and drained OR 1-1/2 cups cooked navy or cannellini beans

Method:

1. In a non-stick skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.

2. In a Dutch oven or small stockpot, saute onions, garlic, and pumpkin in olive oil over medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes.

3. Add cooked turkey and remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and turn heat down to low. Simmer 40 minutes. Adjust seasonings to suit your taste. Serves 6.

Notes:

1. Cut the pumpkin cubes the same size as the bean being used.

2. To roast pumpkin pieces, first cut pumpkin in half. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp. Place the halves skin side up and shave off the skin. Use a sharp chef's knife and always cut away from you. Cut the peeled pumpkin into slices, then into 1/2-inch cubes (see note 1). Place on a well-oiled cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast at 400 degrees for 1/2 hour or until tender, tossing occasionally.

3. If you can find them, white (“ghost”) pumpkins are excellent in this recipe.

4. We use Hatch chile powder. One tablespoon “extra hot” and one tablespoon “medium” seem to give the combination of flavor and heat we like. As of October, 1997, these are available for $2.99 per 4 ounce package (plus shipping and handling) from the Hatch Chile Express, P.O. Box 350, Hatch, NM 87937. Orders: 800-292-4454. Or order from their web site at http://www.hatch-chile.com.