Vegan Butternut Squash with Quinoa and Black Bean Chili

Vegan Butternut Squash & Black Bean Chili Photo Credit: vegukate

Serves 4

A very healthy butternut squash cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes and quinoa and finished with a tasty black bean chili.

I love anything vegan and healthy and that also tastes good so this recipe caught my attention. The chili compliments the butternut squash nicely and again its a very easy recipe to make.

Adapted from: Vegukate

1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced (2 pounds or less)
1 medium red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, diced
4 cloves of garlic, diced
2 T olive oil
½ cup quinoa (uncooked)
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, including liquid
2 (14 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 ½ cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 T chili powder
1 T ground cumin
¼ tsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
¼ tsp cinnamon
Freshly ground sea salt and pepper
1 avocado, diced (to garnish)
Handful of diced cilantro (to garnish)

Vegan Butternut Squash & Black Bean Chili : Photo Credit: vegukate

In a large dutch oven or sauce pot, heat 2 T olive oil over medium heat. Add in butternut squash, onion, bell pepper, chili, and garlic and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring every now and then, until onions appear translucent.

Lower the heat to medium-low and add in the spices, uncooked quinoa, tomatoes, black beans, vegetable broth, and freshly ground sea salt and pepper. Cover chili and let bubble away on medium-low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally.

When chili is done, serve in individual bowls and top with diced avocado and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if desired. Feel free to drizzle with some hot sauce if you want a spicier chili. Enjoy!