I love fall! I love everything about it – the cool weather, the harvest, the turning leaves, the need to nest and burrow and get all cozy. It’s the time of year when I really start searching out new recipes and will spend entire days devoted to cooking. So, when Amy at My Friend Amy announced a Fall Festival Recipe Exchange, I was more than excited. I’m ecstatic at the thought of getting new recipes to try. 
In honor of this auspicious event, I’m sharing one of my favorite go-to recipes for cool weather. I first made it last Halloween, simmering in the slow cooker while my husband handed out candy and I took the kids trick-or-treating. By the time I came back, my neighbor and my husband had pretty much devoured the entire batch. I then made it for our work Thanksgiving banquet. It was so popular that I was requested to bring it again this year. I’ve made it for parties and Sundays, and it always gets rave reviews. Yes, it is THAT good. So, without further ado, I give you Black Bean ‘n Pumpkin Chili!1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chicken broth
2 15-oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey (although I use 1.5 pounds browned ground turkey)
1 15-oz can pumpkin
1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a large skillet, saute the onion, yellow pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Transfer to a 5-qt slow cooker; stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through. Yield: 10 servings
Happy fall, everyone!
Booklogged – You'll have to let me know what you think when you do!
Pumpkin in chili?! It just sounds interesting enough that I'm going to have to try it.
Hope – Let me know what you think!
heidenkind – Thanks! I love slow cooking, especially in the winter months. There is something so magical about letting the house fill with delicious smells and knowing that you don't have to do much to get those smells!
Yum, can't wait to try it!
Pumpkin chili–how creative! That sounds like an awesome recipe. And hooray for slow cooking.
Thanks, Sarbear! My son took those pictures. I should give him a camera more often!
That recipe sounds delicious : )
I love the fall leaves!
Deb – I won't tell if you won't tell! 😉
Jessica – Thank you for both! My son did a great job taking the pictures, didn't he?
Beth – Add to the fact that it's made in a slow cooker, and you've got a great recipe!
This sounds fantastic! (Shhh! Don't tell anyone here in Texas that I'm making PUMPKIN Chili….I'll never hear the end of it!)
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing. And the pictures are beautiful, by the way.
Black beans, pumpkin, and turkey — what could go wrong?
Laurel – Using black beans and low-fat ground turkey, this is about as healthy a recipe as you can get! I've served this for my friends who eat gluten-free as well, and if you take away the turkey, it would make a fabulous vegetarian meal as well!
Dawn – Yes, the pumpkin adds a touch of sweetness but it also thickens it up quite a bit. Funny story – I've made this several times over the past year, most recently for a party I held at my house for my co-workers. My kids have always eaten and enjoyed it. I mentioned in passing that I was going to share this recipe on my blog, and my son immediately said that it sounded gross – I actually mentioned that I used pumpkin in it. When I reminded him that he had just eaten it not more than two days ago and liked it, he wrinkled his nose. I guess he never knew there was pumpkin in it until now. Oh well. I know he likes it, even if he's undecided now that he knows the ingredients!
Christina – My son took two of the pictures, and my husband took the other. Aren't they great? I asked for fall pictures, and that's what I got! I love fall!
Add a good piece of bread, and you've got a wonderful fall meal.
Heather – My family loves chili, so they adore this recipe. I hope your husband likes it!
Stephanie – IMO, the pumpkin is more of a thickening agent than anything else, although it does give just a touch of flavor. Let me know what you think!
Nicole – This IS delicious. The pumpkin thickens it up a bit. I love black beans and am always looking for new ways to incorporate them into meals. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so!
That sounds delicious! And it's probably pretty healthy, too.
In my newest blog, I'm focusing on healthy eating.
http://rainysnowyobsessions.blogspot.com/
The pics of your autumn trees are fantastic!
I'm going to bookmark this recipe. My husband and I are big soup/stew eaters in the cooler months. The kids, not so much, but we keep asking them to try it …
I imagine the pumpkin gives this chili a sweeter accent.
Sounds very hardy! I love your fall pics.
What an interesting recipe! I'm not a bean or chili fan, but my husband loves it. I wonder if he would like this! I may have to try it and see. Thanks for sharing!
OK…I'm kind of iffy on the whole pumpkin thing. But I've heard this is really good. Guess I'll just have to try it and find out!!
This is fun, and the variety of recipes so far is great!!
I have never had pumpkin chili before, but i think black beans are versatile enough to go with many recipes. Looks delicious.