Give Your Next Pot Of Chili A Seasonal Twist With This Canned Ingredient
Chili is a comforting meal that perfectly complements the changing seasons. When moving into the cooler months of the year, it's only natural to want to warm up with a steaming bowl of something tasty. If you're looking for an easy way to do so, there's a canned ingredient that gives a standard chili recipe a little autumn makeover. Believe it or not, you can, and should, add pumpkin puree to chili — and there's more than one reason you might want to try it.
A member of the squash family, pumpkins are a chef-recommended chili ingredient. Chef Gaggero previously told Mashed that it can "add layers of flavor and texture" to the dish. This pureed squash also doubles as a natural thickening agent, and its earthy taste will pair well with warming spices. As a bonus, the pantry staple is also cheap, convenient, and abundant during the fall season.
Multiple recipes call for combining a single 15-ounce can of pureed pumpkin (or the equivalent of about 1 ¾ cups) with two cans of beans and roughly 1 pound of meat. On top of adding plenty of fall flavor, this chili upgrade provides ample fiber and beta-carotene.
Adding canned pumpkin puree to your chili
If you're wondering which can of pumpkin to pick at the store, various consumers regard Libby's as the best brand. As one Redditor put it, "I only use Libby's. The other ones taste weird." But store brands like Whole Foods 365 come highly recommended, as well as the retro-looking One-Pie canned pumpkin, which is a staple amongst New Englanders. Whichever brand you choose, make sure you're buying 100% pumpkin and not pie filling; the latter has added sugar and spices.
You can add puree to just about any chili recipe you desire. If you're looking for something on the lighter side, you can try our Healthy Freekeh Chili Recipe or Quick Turkey Chili Recipe. Serve your pumpkin chili with some easy cornbread for a cozy homemade meal. Or pair it with a nice seasonal rice pilaf if you plan to serve it during the holidays. Who knows? It may even become your new favorite way to eat chili.