87466604As the temperatures start to drop and the pumpkins are coming out to play, this is a delicious, protein-packed weight loss surgery friendly recipe for all the family. Pumpkins and other members of the squash family are in season, fresh and delicious as well as being packed with goodness. So get your fill this Fall.

v  If you don’t want to use turkey in the recipe, any other lean mince will do. Or you can use  left-over cooked meat, such as chicken, turkey, lean beef, fined chopped by hand or in a food processor.

v  Buy pureed pumpkin (unsweetened) or make your own pumpkin puree by boiling or steaming cubed pumpkin until it is soft, then blending it into a puree. If you get more than 15 oz, don’t worry. You can freeze it for Thanksgiving or use it in soups.

Serves: 4

Nutritional value per serving (1/4 yield):

Calories: 352.7  Carbohydrates: 30.7

Fat: 6.1g               Protein:  46g

Ingredients:

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped, or minced

2 sticks celery, finely chopped

1 lb lean ground turkey mince

1 can red kidney beans

1 can cannellini beans or other white bean

15 ounces pumpkin puree (see above)

1 can chopped tomatoes

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp chili powder (or more, or less, depending how hot you like it)

Salt and pepper to taste.

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a large heavy pan. Add the onion, celery and garlic and cook until softened.
  2. Add the spices (cinnamon, cumin, coriander and chili) and stir in. Cook on a low heat until the smells of the spices are released.
  3. Add in your meat and cook gently until it is cooked through. (if you are using cooked left-over meat, stir and cook until the meat is coated in the spice mixture).
  4. Add the beans, pumpkin puree and tomatoes and stir so that all of the ingredients are well combined.
  5. Reduce the heat and simmer for as long as you can (a minimum of 15 minutes). The longer chili cooks for, the better the flavor.  If the mixture starts to look a bit dry, add some water, stir, and cover again. Taste and season as you go.

This is great served with brown rice, bread or on its own.

Enjoy!

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