10.21.2009

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Quesadillas



Yesterday was my last CSA pickup and while I am quite sad to see the season end, I left with three huge bags of goodies that should keep me busy for a few weeks. I have a few unusual vegetables to get creative with—celeriac and parsnips, some of the usual fall suspects—Chinese cabbage and greens, and a butternut squash that doesn’t stand a chance to make it through the weekend.



But this week, I am on a sweet potato kick. They pair so nicely with both the sweet and savory, which provides a wealth of possibilities. This recipe I had made over a year ago and it just stuck in my mind. With the amount of recipes I go through, and the amount of blogs, books and magazines I constantly draw inspiration from, that says something.



Black Bean & Sweet Potato Quesadillas
adapted from Vegan Planet . serves 4

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
2 T olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 small jalapenos, finely chopped
14-oz can diced tomatoes
15.5-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
juice of 1 lime
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 large handful fresh cilantro, leaves chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 c crumbled feta cheese (optional)8 whole-wheat tortillas
1 c salsa



Preheat oven to 400F. On a baking sheet, arrange sweet potato cubes in a single layer. Bake 20 minutes, until tender. Remove from oven and set aside, leaving oven on. In a large pan, heat olive oil, over medium heat, and add garlic and jalapenos. Sauté 3-5 minutes, until garlic just begins to brown. Add diced tomatoes, black beans, lime juice, salt, pepper and cilantro. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well heated. Turn off heat, stir in red onion, feta (if using) and sweet potato. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Arrange four tortillas on a baking sheet. Transfer to oven, and bake 2 minutes. Remove from oven, and top each tortilla with sweet potato mixture and an additional tortilla. Transfer to oven, and cook 6 minutes, until tortillas are golden brown. To serve, cut each tortilla into quarters and top with salsa.

14 comments:

Michelle @ Find Your Balance said...

Oh, that's sad that CSA is ending! Mine goes a few more weeks and then I'm back to Whole Foods I guess. These quesadillas look great!

kelly said...

omg, i just bought sweet potatoes! happy for your recipe today!

Barbara said...

I'm crazy about sweet potatoes too...love this recipe. Looks rich and delicious.

Dana said...

Brilliant! I make cheese quesadillas or bean and cheese quesadillas about 4 times a week for my boys, but don't always think of them as food for the adults. I would LOVE these! Going on next week's menu! Thanks for the inspiration.

jacqueline said...

OMG black bean and sweet patato...two of my fav! Yipeee for this wonderful recipe! Thank you thank you! Will be adding it to my "Fresh365 : to cook" list!

Oh and your Broccoli-cheddar soup was a big heat among my family and bf...they LOVE it. :)

Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!

Mathyld / encore petite said...

I just discovered your blog though Lisa / Parallel Botany's.

And I'm bookmarking it, right now !
I will sure become a new favourite : fresh ingredients, in season, vegetarian recipes, gorgeous photographs and neat presentation !

And I was about to say the exact same thing as Jacqueline : "sweet potatoes & black beans, two of my favourites !"
eheh :)

Best from Paris,
x x x
___mathyld___

tara said...

Ours just ended too - so sad. But lucky for us, there are some sweet potatoes on hand, surely destined for these gorgeous quesadillas. They sound delicious and totally up my alley.

Simple Daisy said...

That looks awesome!! I have to say I have never tried that combination!

leslie said...

Looks divine -i have all the ingredients to make this asap! Yummy! Thanks Erin!!!

Unknown said...

i made something similar last night! i too have been on a sweet potato kick. i think i associate them with the season :)

Sarah S. said...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit, so glad you did, because now I've found you!

There are so many great recipes on your site, I can't wait to explore even further into the archives. I'm adding you to my reader straight away!

I love this black bean / sweet potato combo. I just got some lovely sweet potatoes from my friend's garden and I think this recipe will be perfect way to put these to use.

eatme_delicious said...

Ooo I love the ingredient list! This looks like the absolute perfect meal. I must make it soon!

Anonymous said...

We made these! They were excellent. We enjoyed them cold as well. What a wonderful blend of flavors!

fresh365 said...

Anon- Glad you enjoyed! I ate the leftovers cold as well!