a winter pumpkin treat that no one will expect

OK, OK I know pumpkin season is officially over…but just hear me out for a bit.

Pumpkin is not just for sweets

I am sure you already know this but pumpkin is packed full of protein and I don’t know about you but I don’t only want protein in the fall. I am always looking for great ways to add protein to dishes without a lot of added fat and calories and pumpkin is a great way to do that. But don’t worry, it won’t taste like fall in a bowl…I promise.

OK, so what does the pumpkin do?

It not only adds protein but it also adds a ton of body, giving it a little something extra. I love a chili that is super thick and full of body so that each bite is a treat and the pumpkin really helps to achieve that. It also adds a bit of creaminess to the chili that works so well with the beans that makes this one of my most favorite chilis ever!!

I do promise you though that this will not taste like Fall in a bowl. You are using pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin PIE puree so there is no cinnamon or nutmeg…really there is no flavor at all. Surprisingly pumpkin puree has a very mild flavor that can easily be masked when added with other flavors.

Just try it

[mpprecipe-recipe:262]

NO one will ever know

I tried a little experiment when I made this chili…I did not tell The Hubby that there was pumpkin in the chili. He thought it was my traditional chili, just lightened-up with turkey. I just knew he would think there was something different, and would start asking what it was…but he never did. He actually asked for a second bowl.

I have to tell you that I was shocked. Not only did I use ground turkey which lightened it up, but it was packed with protein. It really couldn’t get much better. Trust me if The Hubby couldn’t tell there was pumpkin in his chili….no one else will be able to either!