Autumn Squash Chili

Ideal for Harvest Festivals, this recipe can be readily adapted for a vegetarian or vegan celebration. Beans symbolize prosperity, while squash represents abundance with its plentiful seeds. Onions and garlic offer protection against physical and energetic ailments, and olive oil is among the finest enhancers for any potion.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground turkey breast or meat substitute

1 pound butternut squash - peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch dice

½ cup chicken or veggie broth

1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chilies

2 (14.5 ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid

1 (15.5 ounce) can white hominy, drained

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, chili powder, cumin, and garlic salt. cook and stir for 3 minutes, then add the turkey, and stir until crumbly and no longer pink. Transfer to crockpot.

Add the butternut squash, chicken broth, green chilies, tomatoes, kidney beans, hominy, and tomato sauce. Turn crockpot to low and let simmer for 4-6 hours.

-Or- for maximum flavor melding refrigerate overnight then crockpot on low for 10 – 12 hours.