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.

Comments

[Michelle @ Find Your Balance]

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]

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

[Barbara]

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

[Dana]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[simpledaisy]

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

[leslie]

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

[Adrienne]

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

[The Ordinary Vegetarian]

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]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[fresh365]

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

[Julia]

Hi there--just stumbled upon your blog. Amazing photos and great recipes! I made these tonight and am I only wish I'd made more.

SO DELICIOUS! Thanks!

[Michelle]

I found your website the other day and liked the look of your recipes - healthy and delicious - and decided to try this one tonight. It was easy and quick to cook after coming home late and was absolutely yummy.

Sweet potato is a real treat for me in the UK as the ones in the shop only come from the USA but I luckily bought some the other day. Thinking butternut squash would be a good alternative.

Thanks

[Tyler]

Fantastic. I mixed in a cilantro-lime vinaigrette which kicked up the flavor another notch, not that it was needed.

[Mikaela @ the Fox Fix]

I just made this, and it was awesome. Even my picky, pizza-loving husband wolfed it down. Thanks!

[Cecilia]

I made this for a group of friends tonight and everyone loved them!! Great fall combination!