Three Sisters Chili

(vegan, gluten-free)

“Help!” you say. “I need to bring vegetarian chili to the chili cookout, and I need a recipe that is simple, delicious, and just different enough to spark culinary conversation,” you say. “Have no fear,” I respond. “I’ve got you covered.”

The Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) are the three main agricultural crops of various indigenous peoples of North America. They form a symbiotic plant complex; the cornstalks form a trellis for the beans to climb, the beans fix nitrogen into the soil, and the wide leaves of the squash plant shade the ground, keeping the soil moist and preventing weed growth.

This chili recipe is a symbiosis of flavors that create a simple, familiar, hearty dish, perfect for keeping warm during the cold Midwestern winters or spicing up your Southwest summers. Don’t let chili snobs insult or discourage you. It is not meant to be chunky meat-heavy Texas chili, nor pasta and cheese subservient Cincinnati chili, nor tomatillo and pork laden chili verde. Vegetarian chili with beans is a style unto its own, and in my opinion, it is superior to the others. Of course, I’m a wee bit biased.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ to 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• ½ to 1 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 15 ounce can tomato sauce
• 15 ounce commercial or homemade squash puree (recommend butternut or pumpkin)
• 2 x 15-ounce cans of beans (black, red, or pinto)
• 15 ounce can corn
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 1-2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In Dutch oven or other large pot, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno.
2. Remove from heat and stir in tomato sauce and squash puree. Stir in beans, corn, and dried spices.
3. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally to make sure chili does not burn.
4. Add in cilantro and red wine vinegar and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.