Spiced Butternut Squash Chili

Name: Spiced Butternut Squash Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts).
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef or turkey; 3/4 cup chopped red onion; 5 garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt; 1-3/4 to 2 cups water; 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes; 1 can (14-1/2 to 15 ounces) tomato sauce; 1 tablespoon Gustus Vitae spicy chocolate cinnamon cake sugar; 3 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; Chopped avocado, plain Greek yogurt and shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

I love how a hint of heat with a touch of sweetness from the Gustus Vitae spicy chocolate cinnamon cane sugar adds another layer of flavor to this contest-winning chili recipe from Jeanne Larson of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Food Editor

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or turkey
3/4 cup chopped red onion
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
1-3/4 to 2 cups water
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (14-1/2 to 15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 tablespoon Gustus Vitae spicy chocolate cinnamon cake sugar
3 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
Chopped avocado, plain Greek yogurt and shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

Directions

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef and onion, crumbling meat, until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, 6-8 minutes.
Add next five ingredients; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in water, both types of beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and spicy chocolate cinnamon sugar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Stir in squash; simmer, covered, until squash is tender, 20-25 minutes. Stir in vinegar.
If desired, serve with chopped avocado, Greek yogurt and shredded mozzarella cheese.