Quinoa Zucchini Chili in a Pressure Cooker

This vibrant vegan quinoa and zucchini chili, crafted in an Instant Pot, captures the essence of summer. Sautéed onions, celery, garlic, and diced tomatoes simmer under pressure with quinoa, beans, zucchini, and roasted chiles in a blend of chili spices, creating a versatile nutritious gluten free dish perfect for summer or all year long.

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I found this recipe in the most excellent cookbook The Instant Pot Bible by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough. It's different than meat-based chilis--this is a thicker chili that could even be used to top chili dogs or inside a wrap. While I prefer to cook this chili in the pressure cooker, you can cook this chili on the stovetop or in a slow cooker as well--I've included instructions in the recipe below.

Wait, you can use a pressure cooker in the summertime?

Yes, I am a person who uses her pressure cooker year round. You'll find me drinking my DIY Iced Chai even in a blizzard, and I reuse the teabags and make more tea by cooking them under pressure, but I'm also using the Instant Pot to cook beans and grains for summer bowls or salads like my Greek Wild Rice Salad. Using a pressure cooker not only ensures each ingredient melds perfectly but also reduces cooking time significantly, keeping unnecessary heat out of your kitchen. It's the same way using my air fryer to roast everything from broccoli to potatoes to tofu keeps my kitchen cooler than using the oven (and keeps me cooler than using the grill (which still gets used on Fridays for pizza, never fear).

What size zucchini should I use for this recipe?

Use those medium sized zucchinis in this recipe. Since you're going to chop them before cooking under pressure, they become very tender and 'melt' into the chili in the Instant Pot. Save the small zucchini for sauteing or grill (here's my recipe for an easy Grilled Zucchini with Feta side dish). If you end up with those giant "home defense" size zucchini bats, shred them up (peel first if necessary) and use in savory recipes like my Easy Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas or in sweet baked goods like my Zucchini Lime Cupcakes.

What else can I do with this recipe?

In addition to serving this chili up in a bowl, topped with chili accoutrements like fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice, maybe some sour cream and shredded cheese (plant-based if you prefer), try this scooped up with tortilla chips or air fryer nachos, on top of a hot dog (again, plant-based if you like), or wrapped up in a tortilla. This chili freezes well to make a planned over. I love meals that are 'cook once eat twice'. Make sure to put a note on your monthly meal plan to remind you!

Perfect for enjoying with friends, this chili celebrates seasonal ingredients and mindful eating in every spoonful. It's time to dive into this chili, a testament to both smart cooking and savoring the flavors of summer.

Quinoa Zucchini Chili
By Kirsten Madaus

This vibrant vegan quinoa and zucchini chili, crafted in an Instant Pot, captures the essence of summer. Sautéed onions, celery, garlic, and diced tomatoes simmer under pressure with quinoa, beans, zucchini, and roasted chiles in a blend of chili spices, creating a versatile nutritious gluten free dish perfect for summer or all year long.

Prep time: 00:15
Cook time: 00:08
Total time: 00:45

Yield: serves 4
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon cooking oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 Tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried minced garlic (or 2 cloves fresh)
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
1 15 oz can red kidney or black beans (or 2 cups cooked beans)
1 14-15 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup roasted green chiles
2 roasted red peppers, chopped
1 cup chopped zucchini
2 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper, to taste after cooking
lime wedges, to serve
fresh cilantro, to serve
tortilla chips, to serve


Instructions:

Press Sauté, and when “Hot” appears add the oil.

Sauté the onions and celery until softened, then add the remaining ingredients and stir well.

Close and lock the lid and cook at High pressure for 8 minutes, then quickly release the pressure. Stir well before serving, and taste to see if you need to add any salt or pepper.

Garnish each serving with a squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro and serve with tortilla chips, if desired.

To cook this on the stovetop, simmer, covered, for 30 minutes until quinoa is tender.

For a slow cooker, cook this for 3 hours on High or 4-5 hours on Low.

This recipe is part of the Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient, a resource for folks like me eating from the farm share, the farmer's market, the garden, the neighbor's garden, and great deals on ugly produce at the grocery store.

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