Corn, bean & pumpkin stew

1 Servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
1 cup Pinto beans, soaked
Overnight and drained
x Salt
1 pounds Tomatoes, fresh or canned,
Peeled, seeded, and chipped,
Juice
Reserved [peeled and seeded?
Yea, right.]
3 Ears corn (about 1 1/2 C
Kernels)
1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 Inch piece of cinnamon
3 Cloves
1 large Onion, cut into a medium
Dice
2 Cloves garlic, finely
Chopped
1 tablespoon Paprika
2 cups Bean broth or stock [if you
Make the stock yourself, she
Suggests
One made with carrots,
Zucchini, onion, potato,
Parsley, garlic,
Cinnamon, cloves, coriander
Seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom
Pods, and
Salt ]
3 cups Pumpkin or winter squash,
Peeled and cut into 1 inch
Cubes
2 Serrano chilies, seeded and
Finely chopped [or to make
It hotter
Without adding chili powder,
Leave in the seeds]
x Cilantro or parsley,
Chopped, for garnish

Directions

Cook the beans in water and ½ t salt for about 1½ hrs or until beans are tender. Drain and reserve the cooking liquid.

Warm a small heavy skillet and toast the cumin seeds until their fragrance emerges; then add the oregano, stir for 5 seconds, and quickly transfer the spices to a plate or bowl so they don't burn.

Combine them with the cinnamon and the cloves, and grind to a powder in an electric spice mill.

Heat a wide skilled [with water or some sauteing liquid] and saute the onion briskly over high heat for 1 minute; then lower the heat to medium. Add the garlic, the spices, the paprika, and 1 t salt. Stir well to combine; then add ½ C reserved bean broth or stock and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft. Next add the tomatoes and cook 5 minutes. Then add the pumpkin or winter squash along with another C of bean broth or stock. After 20 to 30 minutes, or when the pumpkin is about half-cooked -- soft but still too firm to eat -- add the corn, the beans, and the fresh chilies. Thin with the reserved tomato juice, adding more broth or stock as necessary.

Cook until the pumpkin is tender. Check the seasoning, and add more salt if necessary. Serve garnished with the chopped cilantro or parsley.

Even though there is corn in the stew, corn bread or tortillas make a good accompaniment.

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