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Gourds. They are all around us. So, Tepper sets out on a mission to unlock the mystery of gourds by dining on them at local places, but faces an ultimatum with a Jarrahdale pumpkin back in his own kitchen.

Recipe for Squachos

Ingredients:
1/3 of a Jarrahdale pumpkin
2 jalapenos
1 spanish onion
4 cloves of garlic
juice of 1-2 limes + zest
1/4 c nutritional yeast
2 T rice vinegar
1/4 water
salt
1/2 c pickled onions
1/4 c chopped cilantro
1/2 c black beans drained
1 bag tortilla chips

Directions:
1. Set oven to 430 degrees
2. Cut Jarrahdale pumpkin into large chunks, scooping the inside seeds. Rub with olive and season with salt and pepper.
2. Roast pumpkin chunks in the oven until soft and fully cooked - test with a knife to see if middle is soft and fully cooked. It is ok to overcook it. The softer the better.
3. While pumpkin is roasting, saute chopped onions, garlic and jalapenos in neutral oil or olive oil until soft and translucent, but do not burn. Add garlic last. Season with salt and pepper.
4. When pumpkin is fully cooked, add the pumpkin, onion/garlic/jalapenos, nutritional yeast, lime juice, rice vinegar, water and salt to a blender and blend until it is your preferred nacho-cheese-like texture.
5. Pour pumpkin sauce over tortilla chips in layers on a wide plate or sheet tray, adding chips and topping with sauce until it is stacked very high. Top with black beans, cilantro, pickled onions and any other stuff you like to put on nachos.

Businesses mentioned:
1. Mx Morningstar Farm Store, 5956 NY-9H, Hudson, NY
2. Stewarts, 811 Union Turnpike, Hudson, NY
3. Jackson's Old Chatham House, 646 Albany Turnpike, Old Chatham, NY
4. Martin's Farm Fresh Farmstand, 812 NY-9H, Hudson, NY
5. Tommy B's Slice Shop, 817 NY-23, Craryville, NY
6. Feast & Floret, 13 S 3rd St., Hudson, NY