For those of you going to see the Greeley sponsored movie Elf this weekend, enjoy your spaghetti and maple syrup dinner.  For the rest of you, try this comforting and delicious lamb and butternut chili.

Lamb and Butternut Chili

1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed

1 Tb olive oil

Preheat oven to 450°.  In a bowl, toss butternut with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Place on baking sheet and roast 30-45 minutes turning occasionally until browned on edges.  Set aside.

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1” fresh ginger, peeled and grated

2 lbs ground lamb

1 heaping Tablespoon Basics Fuirst Mid-East Peace Mix

1 28-oz box chopped tomatoes

Kosher salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over a medium flame.  Add onion, garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant and onions begin to soften, about 7 minutes. Add ground lamb and cook until no longer pink, breaking apart as you go along.  Drain off fat. Stir in Basics Fuirst Mid-East Peace Mix.  Add diced tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes uncovered to combine flavors.   Remove pot from flame and mix in cooked butternut squash.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 5