Butternut Squash Chili with Quinoa
African Medium

Butternut Squash Chili with Quinoa

A hearty African-inspired stew thickened with roasted peanuts and coconut milk

africanvegetarianvegangluten-freedairy-freeone-pot
(0 ratings)
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes prep · 35 minutes cook
🍽️ 6 Serves
520 Calories
14g Protein
58g Carbs
32g Fat

Why This Recipe Works

This chili achieves a rich, silky body by blending roasted squash with dry-roasted peanuts. Aromatic coconut milk and warm spices like cinnamon and coriander create a deeply savory backdrop for the nutty pop of quinoa.


Instructions

1

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Toss the squash and onions with oil, salt, and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet until evenly coated.

2

Roast the squash mixture until the vegetables are tender and the edges have started to char, about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

3

Transfer 2 cups of the roasted vegetables to a blender. Add the peanuts and water; blend on high until completely smooth, which provides the rich backbone for the stew.

💡 If the mixture is too thick to blend, add another splash of water.

4

Heat the remaining oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the bell pepper and jalapeño and cook until the peppers have softened and the edges are slightly browned.

5

Stir in the garlic, ginger, cinnamon, coriander, and cayenne. Cook until the spices are fragrant and the garlic has softened, about 1 minute—this blooming phase is essential for unlocking the spice oils.

6

Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, coconut milk, water, and quinoa. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the quinoa is tender and the white 'tails' have spiraled out.

7

Stir the peanut-squash puree and the remaining roasted vegetables into the pot. Simmer for a few minutes more to meld the flavors together and thicken the broth.

8

Stir in the cilantro and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, perhaps with a dash of your favorite hot sauce for extra kick.


🍽️ Complete the Meal

Warm flatbread
📅
Make Ahead: The butternut squash and onions can be roasted 1-2 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
🧊
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this recipe?

Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Can I make this ahead of time?

The butternut squash and onions can be roasted 1-2 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Rohit Bothra
Recipe by

Rohit Bothra

Self-taught cook exploring global vegetarian cuisine from my Atlanta kitchen.

Learn more about me →
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