Squash & Black Bean Chili

Riverford has shared their fantastic Squash & Black Bean Chili, perfect to start the autumn with their organic produce.

“Either stuff a whole squash with the chilli, or dice and roast the squash and add it to the chilli. The latter opens up a whole variety of serving suggestions: eat it with rice or in a baked potato; top it with a dollop of soured cream, some spicy tomato salsa or some guacamole; stuff it in a taco with some grated cheese; or spread it over a tortilla. If you are stuffing the squash, you will need to use one that is a suitable size and will hold its shape when cooked, such as onion squash.”

 

 

Ingredients - Serves 4

• 1 medium organic butternut, large onion or smallish crown prince squash
• 2 tbsp organic olive oil, plus extra for roasting
• 1 large organic onion, chopped
• 4 organic celery sticks, finely chopped
• 1 organic red pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 organic green pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 3 large organic garlic cloves, crushed
• 1–2 tsp crushed chipotle organic chillies (if you can’t source them, substitute another fresh or dried red chilli)
• 1 tsp dried organic marjoram or handful of fresh oregano
• 2 organic bay leaves
• 2 tsp organic ground cumin
• 1 x 400g can organic chopped tomatoes
• 2 x 400g cans organic black beans, rinsed and drained
• Juice of 1 organic lime (approx. 2 tbsp)
• Small bunch of organic coriander, finely chopped
• Organic salt and black pepper
• Grated organic cheese and/or organic soured cream, to serve (optional)

 

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4.
2. If stuffing a whole squash, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and pulp, and stuff each half; or roast it in chunks.
3. Heat the oil in a large heavy pan over a medium–high heat. Add the onion and celery. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until soft. Add the peppers and continue cooking for a further 10 minutes or so, stirring frequently.
4. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the chilli, 1–2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, the herbs and cumin. Give everything a good mix, then add the tomatoes. Simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Stir in the beans and continue to simmer for a further 10 minutes.
5. Remove the bay leaves, stir in the lime juice and coriander, and adjust the seasoning to taste.
6. If using roast squash, add it now, heat through, and then serve. If stuffing a whole squash, fill each roasted squash half with the filling mixture.
7. Top with grated cheese or soured cream (or both), if you like.

The Riverford box scheme began when Guy Watson started delivering vegetables locally to 30 friends in Devon. We now deliver around 47,000 boxes a week to homes around the UK from our regional farms.

Find more about them and order their organic veg box on riverford.co.uk