Riddle me this.

What is more fun than having a construction crew (jack hammers and all) working outside your window from 8-5 every day, thereby preventing you from napping, focusing, and/or being a productive member of society in any way shape or form?

Having a construction crew “blasting” outside your window from 8-5 every day.

Blasting, of course, being the practice of blowing s*** up. All for the sake of getting deeper and deeper into the ground until eventually you go far enough that you can start building your way up again. It’s every ten year old boy’s dream.

And might just explain why my guy friends have set up a viewing area in front of my window, complete with popcorn and an open bar. They want in on the action. Badly.

The blasts, apparently, will sound to passersby like a low distant rumbling, similar to thunder.

I beg to differ. Dynamite will be exploding outside my window. Words like “apocalyptic” and “earth-shattering” seem like they would be much more accurate descriptors.
That is all neither here or there, really, except for the fact that I have a pretty serious fear of explosives. So we shall see how I fare over the course of the next few weeks. As long as I remind myself not to hyperventilate, though, it should be okay.
Although we are experiencing a two day warm front right now (only to be followed by mass amounts of rain. lovely.), the past few weeks have been filled with 50 degree weather, which is perfect for running but less than ideal for those of us who can’t even bear to put their air conditioner when it hits 90.

And by those of us, I mean me.

So I have been walking around lately wearing three sweatshirts and wrapping myself in my down comforter. I may also have worn spandex under my jeans when I went out this weekend. But I can neither confirm nor deny that assertion.

There is nothing like a good bowl of chili to warm you up, however. Especially when that chili is infused with the sweet notes of buttercup squash and red bell peppers. And when it is dotted by vaquero beans, a type of heirloom bean that Rancho Gordo describes as being a cousin to the Anasazi whose inky black and white markings resemble that of an appaloosa.

Personally, I thought they looked much more like dalmations. But that just may have been the dog lover in me.

I am submitting this third installment of the 12 Weeks of Winter Squash to both Souper Sundays, hosted by Deb of Kahakai Kitchen, and No Croutons Required for which this month’s theme is Root Vegetables.
Butternut Chili
Serves 4-6, adapted from Karina’s Kitchen

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
6
cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
1
tsp chili powder
1
tsp ginger
1
medium red onion
2
red bell pepper, cored, seeded, diced
1 lb buttercup squash, diced
1
cups veggie broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
1 cup canned green chili peppers
2/3 lb vaquero beans
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1
tablespoon agave nectar

1. Soak and cook your beans. I used the crockpot method, first soaking them overnight and then leaving them in the crockpot on low for 5-6 hours or until soft.

2. Drizzle the olive oil in the bottom of a slow cooker; add the garlic and spices and stir to combine.

3. Add the remaining ingredients. Gently stir to mix. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. I cooked this overnight and then stored it in the fridge until I was ready to eat it.

You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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31 Responses to 12 Weeks of Winter Squash – Buttercup Chili

  1. SE(Denufood) says:

    this is looking super delicious.so true, nothing beats the chilli weather then a warm bowl of soup

  2. monicajane says:

    mmm…yummy…I have two pumpkins that need cooking…gonna make some sort of chunky soup with one now, thanks to you.

    I’ve been making pureed soups with pumpkins all the time…

  3. Lea Ann says:

    I had construction a couple of months ago, which doesn’t even come close to what you’re going through. I had 2 – 3 days of jackhammering the sidewalk in front of our house and resplacing with new cement and THAT drove me crazy.

    The soup looks delicious and I’m saving the recipe.

  4. Mari says:

    I hate when I call out sick from work and that is the day everyone decided to mow their lawn and contruction is being done all around me lol…the joys of NY!

    That chili looks amazing!

  5. OMG, that does sound like every man’s, er boy’s, dream. Sounds like you need a hot mug of cocoa and some peace and quiet instead!

  6. Megan says:

    Oh please, it was 68 degrees yesterday and I was shivering.Tomorrow? Almost 80. *sigh*

    What an interesting looking chili! I never would have thought squash would be good for chili.

  7. teresa says:

    i love this chili, great idea!

  8. Totally delicious! I love the idea of squash in a chili.
    We are having a warm front too – the pups are enjoying it, but my head might explode from the sudden changes.

  9. All that noise would drive me absolutely insane! I think it’s funny that your friends set up an area to observe the action.

    Those beans are pretty and the chili sounds warm and delicious!

  10. We have the AC on all year, almost! I almost wish we got to burrow up, but it’s one of those things that sounds better than it is, I’m sure. At least you have this to warm you!

  11. averagebetty says:

    We just had our trees trimmed and the symphony of chainsaws was something to endure.

    The chili looks crazy different and super yummy! I’ll have to try this!

  12. Kim says:

    Are you ready for this….I am also living in a blasting zone. We live in a newer subdivision and they are blasting out the new section(which happens to be in my backyard) The are literally in my backyard with probes measuring seismic activity!! Mind you, this is Kentucky and the workers have no teeth (well maybe one tooth a piece) and they are wearing hats that say “I love explosives”. Yes, kinda scary! I agree that the blasts do not sound like thunder, they are earth-shattering, house-shaking explosions that make your ears ring. My two year old is not getting any afternoon naps and this makes for a very unhappy mom with no “alone time”. Not to mention, the works are kinda crazy looking and you can’t understand anything they say. They actually asked me to leave at one point last week. Anyway, it’s comforting to know that someone else can appreciate the wonders of living in a “blasting zone”.
    This chili looks very hearty and delicious. I hope it helped to warm you up!!

  13. Donna-FFW says:

    OOOOOHHHH, a construction crew outside, how much fun it must be to ogle.

    Yes, chili warms up the soul.. this looks fantastic!!

  14. Butternut chili sounds wonderful, very warming and delicious!

  15. One thing I haven’t made yet! How delicious! This must of did the trick and warmed you up. I hope they quit that blasting soon!

  16. Juliana says:

    What an interesting dish…chili with butternut squash…looks absolutely yummie and wo right for the weather 🙂

  17. Katy ~ says:

    We have an allergic-to-everything kid, no gluten,no dairy, no soy, corn, nuts, fruits that grow on trees, potatoes, just about everything. So this recipe looks perfect. Am saving and making this. It’s so terrific to find a recipe that I can make and she’ll enjoy. This recipe is a total winner.

    Bah humbug on the construction! Beware your hanging pictures and dishware in racks!

  18. Debinhawaii says:

    They were doing construction on a house across the street from me and I almost went mad from the constant noise. Hang in there!

    Wonderful chili–love the squash and the beans are totally cool too. Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays.

  19. Barbara says:

    The days of my wearing spandex under jeans is long over, Joanne. Ahhhh youth!
    And sorry about the blasting- you WILL get used to it I suppose. Progress. (If it brings an assortment of men over I guess it’s not all bad.)
    Love your chili recipe- the beans are a great and healthy touch. Nice on a cold day- of which we are NOT having down here!

  20. Karine says:

    There had been construction next to my building since September and it will last for about 4 years (they are building a condo building). Fortunately, I am always up and are out of my condo when the builders are working.

    I love your chili: when it has ginger, I am sold! 🙂

  21. Nat says:

    The ingredients list sounds really exotic Joanne. I bet it tasted pretty amazing ! I find cumin pairs amazingly with butternut squash, and the agave would’ve enhanced its sweetness. Its looks just beautiful ! Am so sorry to hear about the ‘ blasting outside’ and how its creating havoc for you ( especially since you are a student). It seems construction is always going on in Manhattan…on virtually every block in some form or the other. Thats why you need to live in Staten Island ! : ) … OKAY…I know it is considered the under dog of the 5 boroughs ( by that i mean the least happening place to be)…however… it is so green, with fresh air and residential too ( well my neighbourhood at least). But I suppose grass is always greener on the otherside, as my hubs and I have been contemplating relocating to the Manhattan as the commute/ traffic is killing of both time and energy at the moment.

  22. Wow this looks so savory and hearty, I don’t think a meat eater would miss the meat in this one bit. you are so clever putting such a tasty dish together!

  23. Shannon says:

    hehe, this is sure to warm you up 🙂 it’s only bound to get colder… but you already know that, you were in boston!

  24. Kerstin says:

    Haha, I like the spandex under the jeans trick! I hope the workers finish blasting soon, that just sounds so incredibly annoying.

    What a comforting squash dish – I love all the layers of flavor!

  25. Oh yummy! It looks delicious! I was thinking more like El Scorcho hot wings to go with the explosions – but your recipe will go prefect on a nice chilly day 🙂

  26. Rhandi says:

    I have been trying to concoct butternut squash chili in my head and I haven’t made it yet, this is just what I was thinking. It sounds fabulous, nice work!

  27. my mouth was watering as I was reading the recipe. I wish it was cooler here though! Your comments about the construction remind me of Beirut; there is always deafening noise there, whether from explosions or constructions.

  28. This looks like a fabulously hearty and yummy recipe! Sorry to hear about the construction work, that is so annoying. Hopefully it’ll be over soon!

  29. girlichef says:

    Oh, so many uses!! This looks like it would warm me to the bone and make my mouth happy…YUM!

  30. Jeff says:

    Beautifully done and why was I unaware that there was destruction going on at your place? Dang that would be so much fun to watch and enjoy. Grrr……

    I grew up in cold #%(#* weather and I still can’t get use to it. Right now I am in a battle with my thermostat for the perfect temperature settings. However, I have found chili cures all cold issues.

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