Three Sisters Southwest Chili
Recipe by Chef Heidi Fink
Heidi Fink

Three Sisters Southwest Chili

  • Prep time 30 mins
  • Cook time 45 mins
  • Ready in 1 hour 15 mins
  • Yield serves 8 to 10

This vegetarian chili is a wonder of flavour and nutrition! It’s named for the traditional indigenous farming and eating practices in the American Southwest: The Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) grow together in harmony in the field and provide a perfect complement of protein and vitamins when eaten together.

Ingredients

  • Squash
  • Spice Mix

Directions

Squash:
Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss prepared squash with oil and salt in a bowl. Place on prepared baking sheet; roast in the overn until squash is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the size.

Spice Mix:
Mix all ingredients together in small bowl

Chili:
Heat large pot over medium high heat. Add oil to heat, then add the onion and saute for several minutes. Add the bell pepper and saute several minutes more, until vegetables are softened.

Add the minced garlic and the spice mix and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add water and stir well to scrape anything off the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and salt and bring everything to a simmer.

Add the roasted squash and the rinsed beans. Bring back to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer gently for about 20 minutes to meld all the flavours. Add the corn niblets and simmer 10 minutes longer. Taste to adjust seasonings. You may want more salt or chili.

Garnish as desired with grated cheese, cilantro, sour cream, and/or chopped avocado.

 

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Reviews on "Three Sisters Southwest Chili" (8)

  1. October 23, 2023
    The best veggie chili we have made. Lovely and spicy.
    • October 23, 2023
      So glad you enjoyed it!
  2. October 26, 2023
    Hearty and so good! The best chili I ever made - that cocoa powder is definitely a key ingredient. The toppings Heidi suggested like, cheese, white onion, diced avocado and cilantro really paired perfectly and was an absolute treat to eat and I ate it 3 days in a row. So thankful for your recipe Heidi! :)
    • October 31, 2023
      You are most welcome!
  3. July 15, 2025
    Can't wait to make this! Sounds delicious!
    • July 16, 2025
      Let me know how it turns out!
  4. July 18, 2025
    Finally found again!! I made this chili a few years ago for a vegetarian Thanksgiving and it was SO GOOD - the best thing I'd ever made with 3 Sisters, then I lost the recipe and no amount of re-searching for the combo words "three sisters chili" would bring it back, but I just finally found it again buried in my computer. YAYYYYYY!!!!!! Going to PDF and print and everything
    • July 20, 2025
      YAY!! So glad you love the recipe, and that you found it again! Best feeling!

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