Jack O'Lantern Stew (also known as Mexicali Beef Stew in a Pumpkin Shell)

2 1/2 lbs. beef for stew, cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 large onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cans (14-oz) ready-to-serve beef broth
1 cup mild or medium prepared picante sauce
2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
4 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup cool water
2 small tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges
1 can (2 1/2 oz.) sliced ripe olives, drained

In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add beef, onions, and garlic, 1/2 at a time. Brown beef evenly, stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings, if necessary.
Stir broth and picante sauce into beef mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly and simmer 1-1/2 hours.

Add zucchini to stew. Cover and continue cooking 10 minutes or until beef and zucchini are tender.

Stir cornstarch into the 1/4 cup water until smooth. Stir mixture into stew. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in tomatoes and olives. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare the pumpkin shell:
Cut top off of the pumpkin. Scrape out and discard fibers and seeds. Pour BOILING water to fill the pumpkin shell at least three-quarters full; cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Pour water out of pumpkin.

To serve, ladle stew into pumpkin shell.

Servings: 8
Source: Texas Beef Council