We have the tradition of going to my in-laws every Halloween for a chili dinner after trick-or-treating. I'm not sure how long the Mahoney's have been hosting this, but I know that I've been showing up every year since I met Jason. So, at least 24 years! Thanks to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases here in the Midwest, my mother-in-law is contemplating either not hosting this year or she'll have a drive-by pick up where she'll bring our chili dinner out to the car. It makes me so sad to see this tradition coming to an end for the foreseeable future, but since both mil and fil are in their 70's now, keeping them safe is super important so we can carry on the tradition with ALL family members in tact once we kick this virus to the curb.
As a back-up, I have decided that I would make my own pot of chili this year, which differs from my mil's because it's vegetarian. Hopefully I haven't lost the meat eaters here, but you can certainly modify this recipe to include ground turkey, sausage, chorizo or ground beef, so don't close out of this recipe just yet!
This recipe is chock full of beans and veggies, both of of which are delicious and good for you, too. This was the first chili recipe I made after I switched to a vegetarian diet, and we've had it over and over again ever since. It's a tried and true recipe that my family can't get enough of!
Yield: Serves 6-8
Sweet Potato Chili
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 32 ounce carton vegetable broth
- 3-4 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced and quartered
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- shredded Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat olive oil in a heavy bottom stock pot. Stir in chopped onion and saute until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and bring to a simmer. Add in the remainder of the ingredients except for the Parmesan, then increase heat until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat back to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until zucchini and sweet potatoes are fork tender.
- Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle Parmesan on top if desired. Serve.
If you liked this recipe, be sure to Pin It on Pinterest!
What are some holiday traditions you'll miss out on this year because of Covid?
That is a very nice and inviting photo set, deary.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had a lockdown proclaimed yet, because our dictator is scared shitless we'd storm the parliament again, but it will probably happen soon, probably an evening curfew or something. I'm just sick and tired of it, cannot even imagine how people in the restaurant business are surviving. Spain has been just locked up till May and Germany for four weeks. I just don't want a full weekend curfew anymore.
Our country is all over the place. No one state has the same restrictions. Indiana has been open for awhile, but Michigan is only operating at a fraction of what they did before. So, Michigan comes here for what they can't get or do there, bringing our rona back with them. It's a mess all across the board. It's been odd watching so many European countries lock down or go on a tiered system when we can't even get our shit together over here. I kind of wish we would lock down fully again. I kind of liked the simplicity of nowhere to go and nothing to do but be with family.
DeleteYum
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteThank you for the Pinterest save link. I was able to do that quickly without all the gymnastics! Looks super yummy!
ReplyDeleteWe always host the cousin Xmas party (my husband’s 3 siblings he gets along with and their kids). We won’t be doing that this year, which is such a bummer. My husband and I always go to a local close out store and buy all the gifts for the game we play. It cracks us up what gifts are coveted and ‘stolen’ during the game. Last year it was a set of cactus mugs.
White elephant types of games are so fun! I may still do that with immediate family this year. Cactus mugs sound awesome. I can see why they were such a big hit for you guys. I'd want them too LOL
DeleteIt looks very appetizing. I really like the serving of the dish.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mila!
DeleteI'm 32 years old and haven eaten chili before! It never really appealed to me before, but this looks delicious. I'm pinning it like Bijoux and will make it before the end of the season. :) I hope that you're able to resume the tradition next year. It's very sad how traditions are abruptly coming to a halt, especially with the holidays around the corner. Luckily, NY seems to have gotten some sort of control on the virus so as of now, we're planning to trick or treat or at least have a little party with immediate family. Happy halloween!
ReplyDeleteIt seems that when the coasts are under control, the Midwest is peaking. When we start going back down, the coasts go back up. It's a nasty cycle :( I'm still passing out candy this year. I only get about 20 visitors on a non pandemic year, so we'll see if any show up this year. Happy Halloween to you and your sweeties too, Jax!
DeleteIt looks amazing delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe
ReplyDeletehttp://www.recklessdiary.ru/
Chili is always a favorite. I make mine vegetarian too. I haven't tried sweet potatoes. Maybe that will be a way to get me to like them better!!! I know they are so good for you. I hope you are able to at least do the drive by chili dinner. That is a fun tradition.
ReplyDeleteThat stinks that you have to end the tradition. But yeah, their safety has to come first indeed. Crummy pandemic sure but a kink in a lot of things.
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