Festive Holiday Tacos with Winter Squash & Cranberry Relish

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Pillar of Nutrition Eat the Rainbow, Be Sugar Smart, Lean on Protein

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Festive Holiday Tacos with Winter Squash & Cranberry Relish

Give your tacos a festive fall twist! Filled with yummy winter squash, beans, and a sweet and tangy cranberry relish, these colorful tacos are a fun way to enjoy seasonal flavors!

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Ingredients

Cranberry-Orange Relish

• 6 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed
• 1 orange, juiced
• ¼ cup water
• 2–3 tablespoons honey, or to taste
• ½ jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped, optional

Winter Squash & Bean Filling

• 2 cups winter squash (such as butternut or kabocha), peeled and diced into small cubes
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup water, plus more as needed
• ¾ tablespoon chili powder
• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Tortillas & Toppings

• 6–12 corn tortillas
• ¼ head lettuce, shredded
• 1 ounce cheddar cheese, grated
• ½ cup plain yogurt, optional

Directions

Cranberry-Orange Relish

1. Rinse the cranberries and place them in a small saucepan.
2. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into the saucepan.
3. Add the water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
4. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst and soften.
5. Use the back of a spoon or fork to gently mash the cranberries until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.
6. Stir in the honey and taste. Add more if needed to balance the tartness.
7. Add the finely chopped jalapeño, if using, and stir to combine.
8. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving over the tacos. The relish will thicken as it cools.

Winter Squash & Bean Filling

1. Peel the winter squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into small, bite-sized cubes.
2. Open the can of pinto beans, rinse, and drain well.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add the winter squash and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add ¼ cup water and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook for 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and can easily be pierced with a fork. Add a little more water if the pan becomes dry.
6. Add the pinto beans, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
7. Stir everything together and cook for another 3–5 minutes, until the beans are heated through and the flavors are combined.

Prepare the Toppings & Build the Tacos

1. Wash and shred the lettuce.
2. Grate the cheddar cheese.
3. Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Warm each corn tortilla for about 15–30 seconds on each side until soft and flexible.
4. Place a spoonful of the winter squash and bean filling onto each tortilla.
5. Top with cranberry-orange relish, shredded lettuce, and grated cheddar cheese.
6. Add a spoonful of plain yogurt, if desired.
7. Fold the tortilla and enjoy!

Notes

Variations to Try

• Add turkey! Brown ½ pound of lean ground turkey in the skillet before adding the squash. Cook until it reaches 165°F, then set aside and return to the skillet with the beans and spices.
• Try different winter squash! Use butternut, kabocha, or acorn squash to explore different flavors and textures.
• Make it a taco bowl! Serve the squash and bean filling over brown rice or quinoa instead of tortillas.
• Add some crunch! Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds over the tacos for extra texture.
• Use dried cranberries! If fresh cranberries aren't available, simmer ½ cup dried cranberries with ¼ cup water and orange juice for 5–10 minutes until softened. Mash or finely chop as needed. Since dried cranberries are often sweetened, reduce or skip the honey.
• Try fresh pomegranate seeds! Sprinkle fresh pomegranate seeds over the tacos instead of cranberry relish for a sweet, tart, and juicy topping. No cooking needed!
• Adjust the sweetness! Add a finely diced apple to the cranberry relish for natural sweetness, or use a little extra honey if the cranberries are too tart.

Something to Chew On

• Why do we eat certain foods during different seasons? What fruits and vegetables are commonly harvested in the fall?
• What makes cranberries taste so tart? How does adding something sweet, like honey or orange, change their flavor?
• What is winter squash? How is it different from summer squash, such as zucchini?
• Why are beans an important source of protein and fiber? How do these nutrients help our bodies?
• How can we combine foods from different cultures to create new recipes? What ingredients in these tacos remind you of traditional Thanksgiving dishes?