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Charquicán Stew

Prep 30 min
Total 45 min
Ingredients 11
Servings 6

Charquicán is a traditional Chilean dish that’s great for winter or summer. Its name comes from charqui, a Chilean jerky; before refrigeration existed, this was the typical way of preserving meat—by drying it. Besides being very nutritious, this meal is ideal for picky eaters. The pumpkin gives a natural sweetness to the stew that is simply delicioso.

Ingredients

1 medium onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground paprika
Oil, salt and pepper to taste
1 lb ground beef
5 medium red potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
2 lbs yellow pumpkin, cut into cubes
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup chopped green beans, fresh or frozen
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen

Directions

1

In a large thick-bottomed pot, heat two tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat.
2

Add the onion and sauté for five minutes. Then add the other seasonings: oregano, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
3

Stir for one minute, then move the contents to one side in the pot and incorporate the ground beef. Let brown for four minutes without mixing. Then turn the meat over and cook for another four minutes.
4

When ready, add the cubed potatoes, pumpkin and two cups of water. Stir the contents and partially cover the pot with a lid, simmering for 12 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are soft.
5

Afterward, use a potato masher to mash the mixture.
6

To finish the stew, add the corn, green beans and peas, stir and let cook for five more minutes.
7

Serve hot.

You can accompany this dish with a tomato and onion salad.
When ready to serve, drizzle with olive oil and some ground, dried chile. Merquén is a smoked chile pepper typically used in Chile for seasoning.
The meat in this recipe is optional, or can be substituted for chicken or pork.

No nutrition information available for this recipe

Charquicán is a traditional Chilean dish that’s great for winter or summer. Its name comes from charqui, a Chilean jerky; before refrigeration existed, this was the typical way of preserving meat—by drying it. Besides being very nutritious, this meal is ideal for picky eaters. The pumpkin gives a natural sweetness to the stew that is simply delicioso.