- Cuisine Dominican
- Course Side
- Prep 20 min
- Cook 90 min
- Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic dried black beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 small carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup calabaza (or butternut squash), peeled and cubed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tomatoes, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup organic tomato sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Clean swaps
How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.
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Shop the clean pantry
Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.
What you'll need
- Half-sheet pan — The workhorse of roasting vegetables — get two so one is always clean.
- Parchment paper (unbleached) — No non-stick spray needed; compostable.
- Oven thermometer — Most ovens run 25°F off — this tells you the actual temperature.
Instructions
- Soak the black beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse them.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the oregano, tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, and bay leaf.
- Pour 4 cups of fresh water into the pot and bring to a boil. Add the soaked black beans and the calabaza, reduce the heat to low, and simmer covered for about 60 minutes, or until the beans are tender.
- Mash a few pieces of the softened squash against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro and simmer an additional 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro.
- Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
FAQ
Is this Santo Domingo-Style Habichuelas Guisadas gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses no gluten-containing ingredients.
Can I substitute epazote with another herb?
While epazote provides a distinct flavor, you can substitute it with dried oregano or thyme for a similar effect.
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