Tis the Season of the Great Pumpkin

Ok, so I'm not big on Halloween, but I do LOVE LOVE LOVE PUMPKIN!!!!!!!! I even call my loved ones Pumpkin Face! LOL! They are so cute!

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin blizzards, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll and believe it or not, some roasted pumpkin that is mashed with butter and salt! YUMMY!!!! And pumpkin is so good for you! It has tons of fiber and lots of great vitamins, it is so fantastic!

So as I was thinking about the joyous occasion of pumpkin returning to my life, I remembered a GREAT recipe that I have that can also be made vegetarian or vegan....... Pumpkin Black Bean Chili! This is a crockpot recipe and my husband just loves it! And for my friends out there doing Weight Watchers, this whole recipe is...wait for it.... 24 points... for the WHOLE recipe!!! It might not be 0 point vegetable soup, but this is yummy, warm and filling and you could eat a ton even with a piece of cornbread and not break the points bank!!!! Please try this!! It is so good and you and your family will LOVE it!

Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili

1 med onion, chopped
1 med yellow pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 c. chicken broth
2 c. black beans, rinsed and drained
2 1/2 c. cubed cooked turkey
1 15 oz. can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!)
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
2 tsp chili powder (if you like it spicier, add a little more)
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt

Ina large skillet, saute onion, yellow pepper and garlic in olive oil until tender. Transfer to 5 qt slow cooker and stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. And scarf it up!!!!!!