🌶️ Pumpkin Chili alla Dolce Vita
A Fall Tribute to Día de los Muertos
Today, to celebrate Día de los Muertos, I wanted to pay homage to Mexican cuisine — but with an autumn twist that feels close to my heart.
My Pumpkin Chili alla Dolce Vita blends cultures, colors, and comfort. The natural sweetness of roasted pumpkin meets the earthy depth of beans, the warmth of chili peppers, and the crunch of toasted walnuts — creating a cozy, vibrant dish that tastes like fall itself.
It’s a recipe that speaks of life, memory, and the joy of sharing. A bowl filled with warmth and love, inspired by the Mexican spirit and touched by Italian soul.
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🍁 Ingredients
• 2 cups roasted pumpkin (or purée)
• 1 small onion
• 1 carrot and 1 celery stalk
• 1 garlic clove
• 7 oz (200 g) ground beef
• 1 can of red or black beans
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Chili flakes or fresh pepper to taste
• Olive oil, salt, and black pepper
For topping:
Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, toasted walnuts, and rustic bread with olive oil
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🍲 Instructions
1. Start with a classic Italian soffritto: finely chop onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and sauté in olive oil.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until golden.
3. Stir in the pumpkin, beans, and spices.
4. Pour in the broth, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for about 35–40 minutes, until thick and aromatic.
5. Serve hot, topped with yogurt, cilantro, and toasted walnuts — and don’t forget a slice of warm rustic bread.
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💛 The Dolce Vita Touch
I love to play with textures and colors in my dishes: the bright green of cilantro, the creaminess of yogurt, and the crunch of walnuts create a beautiful, cozy contrast — like a little autumn painting on your plate.
This Pumpkin Chili alla Dolce Vita is a comfort food with a story — where fall meets Mexico, and Italy adds its heart.
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🕯️ La Dolce Vita Dream Tip
To make it extra special for Día de los Muertos, light a candle, play some soft Latin music (think Café Tacvba or Natalia Lafourcade), and enjoy every spoonful slowly.
And if you’d like to recreate my cozy setup, here are my favorite Amazon finds 👇
🛒 Amazon Finds:
• Rustic Bowl Set https://amzn.to/4qM3Zkv
• Olive Oil & Bread Serving Board : https://amzn.to/4qELjTB
• Cozy Fall Table Runner: https://amzn.to/48ZbsGo