Chipotle Butternut Chili

This is the butternut chili that I made for our Fall CSA appreciation dinner.  Hope you enjoy! A great use for your CSA share!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 small butternut squash (1½ pounds or less), peeled and chopped into ½-inch cubes
• 4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 cup of roasted skinned Anaheim peppers (remove seeds for a milder taste)
• ½+ tablespoon chopped chipotle pepper in adobo* (start with ½ tablespoon and add more to taste, I thought mine was just right with 1 tablespoon)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked black beans
• 5 fresh tomatoes diced or 1 small can of diced tomatoes, including the liquid**
• 2 cups vegetable broth (or one 14-ounce can)
• Salt, to taste
• Optional additional garnishes: Chopped fresh cilantro and/or red pepper flakes, avocado, or crispy fried corn tortillas

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a 4- to 6-quart Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat, or a slow cooker works too! Heat olive oil, add the onion, bell pepper and butternut squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are turning translucent. (If using slow cooker, transfer from pan to cooker at this point)
2. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the garlic, chili powder, ½ tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers, Anaheims, cumin and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the bay leaf, black beans, tomatoes and their juices and broth. Stir to combine and cover for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Taste about halfway through cooking and add more chopped chipotle peppers if you’d like.
3. You’ll know your chili is done when the butternut squash is nice and tender and the liquid has reduced a bit, producing the hearty chili consistency we all know and love. Add salt to taste.

Optional

1. To make the crispy tortilla strips: stack the corn tortillas and slice them into thin little strips, about 2 inches long by ¼ inch wide. Warm a drizzle of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat until shimmering. Toss in the tortilla slices, sprinkle with salt and stir. Cook until the strips are crispy and turning golden, stirring occasionally, about 4 to 7 minutes. Remove tortilla strips from skillet and drain on a plate covered with a piece of paper towel.
2. Serve the chili in individual bowls, topped with crispy tortilla strips and plenty of diced avocado. I added a little sprinkle of red pepper flakes (optional). Cilantro would be nice as well.