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Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls {Vegan}

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These Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Latin-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY! 

These Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Latin-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY!

This Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls recipe is sponsored by my friends at Red Gold’s Tomato! Thankful they supply us with such quality product and the chance to share a healthy affordable recipe! 

Well friends. Today is a special day. Not only am I sharing one of my favorite plant based Latin style recipes, Cuban sweet potato Picadillo bowls,  but it is also the Kiwi and my nine year anniversary. Nine years. Wow. Actually if it feels like more like 10. I’m just joking, maybe.

I really love celebrating our anniversary at the beginning of a new year. It gives us a chance to set goals, or rather, intentions.  That word is much better. Yes, intentions! Plus it just feels like it’s a fresh start with a lot of things. You know?

These Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Latin-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY!

That being said, 2017 is definitely a year that we plan to nourish. As mentioned before, 2016 was quite eventful. And wee bit been stressful. But with the help of a meal plan and a new fresh perspective, we feel like there’ll be a lot more life balance. Hopefully more time for each other. OK so all that being said again, I bring you back to this recipe.  Healthy, easy, super duper bowl full of goodness. All you need is one pan to make this dish too! Cuban sweet potato Picadillo bowls. Plant based real food nourishment! Lovely, just lovely!

If you don’t know what Picadillo is, I will fill you in. I think you’re really going like this method of cooking. It’s scrappy, haha, like me. Always.

You see, Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries. Think of it similar to that of American hash, but made with ground beef, stewed tomatoes, and other ingredients from the region. It is often served with rice or potatoes and can be used as a filling or by itself.

These Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Latin-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY!

Of course with this recipe, I decided that we needed to hone in on the Cuban flavors and up the veggies! I really want to focus in on those stewed tomatoes and sweet potatoes, then boost up the plant protein with roasted chickpeas. Cuban spiced chickpeas that is.

I’d say the key to this dish is really though stewed tomatoes. They are heavenly with all the spices and Cuban flavors. There’s a big difference in using stewed tomatoes versus fresh; d quality being key. Which Which is why I am using Red Gold stewed tomatoes. Red Gold’s canned stewed tomatoes uses vine ripe tomatoes that are prepared (cooked) with onion, celery, and bell pepper. Which gives them way more DEPTH and flavor to dishes! Quick, flavorful, healthy dishes, like those snappy spaghetti Italian sweet potato spaghetti bowls?

Well we are going to make sure we continue on with that epic flavor and easy dinner combo!  Because let’s face it, sweet potatoes cooked together with perfectly seasoned stewed tomatoes are just heavenly.

A little about Red Gold, just in case you need a refreshment.

Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls . Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY!

RED GOLD TOMATOES IS …. QUALITY Ya’ll…

  • Sustainably grown on Midwest family farms. They Care about their farming and land.
  • Red Gold’s has been working with local family farms for over 70 years to grow the best tasting tomatoes in the world.
  • Red Golds grows NON GMO Roma tomatoes (to be canned)  with the optimum combination of heartiness, texture, sweetness, color, and consistency… Oh, yes, I SO AGREE!
  • Non-GMO project verified to build a BETTER tomato. And packed in non BPA lined cans
  • A family-owned company that understands the importance and true value of doing things the right way! Caring about the community. 

OK guys let’s put this all together now. This Cuban sweet potato picadillo bowl involves spices such as cumin, oregano, and garlic and onion and bay leaves. A little touch of extra sweetness comes from the dried fruit. In this case I use dried cranberries but you can use raisins.

These Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Latin-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY!

To even out the sweetness, we use throw in those roasted chickpeas, green olives, and mix it all together with the sweet potato and stewed tomatoes for richness.

This truly is a one pot wonder. So full of flavor and you didn’t even need meat. There’s plenty of fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats in at all. Look at us go! New year, new recipes to try, new staple ingredients to stock up on to help us enjoy every meal.

Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls (Vegan, Grain Free, Gluten Free)

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Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls {Vegan}

★★★★★

4.4 from 24 reviews
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3-4 1x
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Description

Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Cuban-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices!

Scale

Ingredients

  • for the roasted chickpeas:
  • 15 ounce canned chickpeas
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/2 to 1 tbsp oil
  • For Cuban picadillo Pan:
  • 1 small onion or 1 1/3 cup chopped
  • 1 bell pepper or sweet pepper chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic or 1 tsp minced
  • 1 sweet potato peeled and diced in cubes. About 2 cups
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Optional 1/4 tsp chili powder or cayenne
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup or 8oz stewed tomatoes (drained if using canned)
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper
  • 2–3 tbsp raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
  • 1/2 c green olives sliced
  • 1/2 tbsp brine from olive jar (the juice)
  • Cilantro or extra onion to garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven 400F.
  2. Drain and rinse your chickpeas. Toss the chickpeas in ingredients listed. Cumin, salt, garlic, cayenne, and olive oil. Place on baking tray and Roast 400 F 12-15min. Remove and set aside.
  3. While the chickpeas are roasted, prepare your other ingredients. Chop onion, peel and chop sweet potatoes, drain your stewed tomatoes.
  4. Next add 1 tbsp olive oil to a large pan or skillet. Sautee the onion, pepper, and garlic until onion starts to caramelize. Around 2 minutes or so on medium high.
  5. Add in your addition 1 tsp cumin, Oregano, bay leaves, cinnamon. Cook until fragrant. Another 3-4 minutes on medium high.
  6. Add in your drained stewed tomatoes, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, potatoes, addition 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Mix in pan.
  7. Cook on medium partially covered for 10 minutes or until potatoes are cooked and some what tender.
  8. Add in raisins, optional chili powder, your roasted chickpeas, olives.
  9. Stew on stove another 5-10 minutes. Add the olive brine last few minutes of cooking.
  10. Serve and garnish with cilantro or extra onion.
  11. Optional garlic or salt if needed. .

Nutrition Per Bowl.

Serving Vary from 3 to 4 depending hunger level! haha.

Quality ingredients that are still’s still affordable. Love it! I think this 2017 is going to be filled with more recipes just like this.

These Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Latin-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY!

What’s one recipe you’re eager to try this year,?. Have you ever tried Picadillo?

Favorite recipe to use stewed tomatoes? I would love more.

#Vegan Cuban Style Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls! A wholesome weeknight meal! @redgoldtomatoes

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Keep up with the Red Gold on social media. They are full of recipe and community inspiration!  Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and Pinterest.

Cheers!

Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls make for a wholesome Latin-inspired weeknight meal! This vegan picadillo recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Stewed Tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, olives, raisins, and spices! Simple healthy ingredients made into a flavorful one pot meal. Gluten free, grain free, EASY! @cottercrunch www.cottercrunch.com

Related Posts

Photo of Lindsay Cotter of Cotter CrunchHi, I’m Lindsay!  Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of Nourishing Superfood Bowls, and meal plan guru! I’d love to know you more! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and drop a comment below.

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  3. Jen says

    January 4, 2017 at 6:43 AM

    Yes! This looks so yummy! It’s only 4 days into January and I’m already in need of a meal plan, so I don’t have to think of what to cook. Adding this to the menu next week and checking out the GF meal plan right now!

    Reply

  4. Julia Mueller says

    January 4, 2017 at 7:47 AM

    Happy anniversary to you and Kiwi! I hope you love birds have a marvelous day celebrating! This Cuban delight looks soooo tasty! I’ve never tried Picadillo and now I’m mega inspired to do so!! Happy 2017, m’dear!

    Reply

  5. Cara's Healthy Cravings says

    January 4, 2017 at 7:49 AM

    Looking forward to this one!
    I always love adding the saltiness of olives to a dish…even better that there is a little sweetness in there too.
    I often use stewed tomatoes in curries, chilis, shashuka etc. So convenient .

    Reply

  6. Blair says

    January 4, 2017 at 8:51 AM

    Happy Anniversary! We have our 12-year anniversary this January as well. It’s nice to have something special to celebrate in an otherwise cold and gray month! 🙂

    And now I want to run off and devour a picadillo bowl. The flavor combo looks amazing!

    Reply

  8. Emily says

    January 4, 2017 at 9:48 AM

    This sounds so perfect for this time of year. I’m in need of healthy comforting meals after Christmas and this is definitely on my list! Thanks so much for the recipe.

    Reply

  11. Ali @ Home & Plate says

    January 4, 2017 at 10:48 AM

    Happy Anniversary and what a great way to celebrate with that fantastic looking picadillo bowl. I love recipes that take healthy veggies and are creative with flavor. This recipe looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply

  19. Jody - Fit at 59 says

    January 4, 2017 at 7:27 PM

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am way past that but you are also a lot younger! 🙂

    I was going to ask about the move but saw it in a comment. Safe travels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

  20. Sarah says

    January 4, 2017 at 8:33 PM

    This looks so amazing! I’m all over this because at first I was like it’s a sweet potato chili (my fav) oh wait it has olives, than you kept adding more flavors!
    Happy Anniversary! I like that you set your intentions for the year.

    Reply

  21. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:36 AM

    HAPPPPPYYYYY Nine year Anniversary, friend!!! Here’s praying y’all are blessed with many more happy ones to come – with less stress involved! And, here’s to more “scrappy” eats in 2017 – I love the word intentions instead of goals/resolutions – and I love this flavor-jammed vegan version of picadillo!

    Reply

  22. Traci | Vanilla And Bean says

    January 5, 2017 at 12:57 PM

    Oh wow, Lindsay! I had to pop over after seeing this mouthwatering bowl on Insta! I zoned in on the olives, then saw the sweet potatoes… talk about a mouth party! Hearty and packed with warming spices! There’s so much umami going on… I can’t wait to give this a go! Happy Anni my dear! xo

    Reply

  24. Emily says

    January 5, 2017 at 1:47 PM

    I think you seriously have a taste of every cuisine on your blog; this is no exception… Most of all, ‘HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!’ I hope and pray that God might give you many many more incredible years for Him!

    Reply

  25. Kristy from Southern In Law says

    January 5, 2017 at 3:33 PM

    Happy Anniversary!!! I love the idea of having intentions over goals too – it makes so much more sense!

    This is such an interesting combination! Jesse is really into olives at the moment so I’m thinking it would be a huge hit in our house!

    Reply

  30. Cassie Autumn Tran says

    January 13, 2017 at 1:27 AM

    Quality can NEVER be sacrificed. This is incredible, especially that you found a great brand of canned tomatoes! P.S. I am SUCH a sucker for crushed tomatoes XD this sweet potato picadillo looks fantastic! So flavorful and delicious!

    Reply

  33. Sam says

    March 13, 2017 at 1:41 AM

    I took a second glimpse on the presentation of the dish in the pictures. For a while I thought, that the whole dish have some meat included. But then, it’s the tomatoes that make the whole dish very lively in red.
    I just love how you made these picadillo with some fresh greens and produce included. Absolutely guilt free for those who are very devoted to their vegan lifestyle like me.
    Thanks again!

    PS. I look forward for some quinoan based recipes in your blog. If there’s one already, I’d love to take a look at it.

    Reply

  38. red ball says

    March 31, 2017 at 10:50 PM

    The share your really gives us excitement. Thanks for your sharing. If you feel tired at work or study try to participate in our games to bring the most exciting feeling. Thank you!

    Reply

  41. stickman says

    June 7, 2017 at 4:36 AM

    The simple ingredients come in a delicious and nutritious dish. Everyone will probably love children from adults to adults. Must try now.

    Reply

  42. Denise says

    August 7, 2017 at 10:13 AM

    Made this last night, and it was a big hit with my neighbor – he had two bowls and said he’d be happy to test drive any other recipes I wanted to try! I love the cranberries and olives, they play well together here. (And I doubled up on the roasted chickpeas, so I’d have some for salads this week…)

    Thank you for this recipe, it’s going into my favorites list!

    Reply

  45. bloxorz says

    December 18, 2017 at 9:05 PM

    This is so fun! What a great idea. Also I love how authentic you seem to be. Your style and passion for blogging is contagious. Thank you for sharing your life!

    Reply

  47. vex 3 says

    January 13, 2018 at 4:55 AM

    It is easy to understand, detailed and meticulous! I have had a lot of harvest after watching this article from you! I feel it interesting, your post gave me a new perspective! I have read many other articles about the same topic, but your article convinced me! I hope you continue to have high quality articles like this to share with veryone!

    Reply

  48. Charlotte says

    March 7, 2018 at 4:26 PM

    My family isn’t too keen on olives. Would the flavors still work without them? Would I need to replace the brine with something else?

    Reply

  50. happy wheels says

    April 29, 2018 at 11:17 PM

    Thanks for your post! I think there are many other people who are interested in them just like me! How long does it take to complete this article? I have read through other blogs, but they are cumbersome and confusing. I hope you continue to have such quality articles to share!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  51. Run 3 says

    May 18, 2018 at 12:11 PM

    Thanks for your post! I think there are many other people who are interested in them just like me! How long does it take to complete this article? I have read through other blogs, but they are cumbersome and confusing. I hope you continue to have such quality articles to share!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  52. Run 3 says

    May 18, 2018 at 12:13 PM

    It is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the leisure here! Keep up the excellent work.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  55. Kim says

    September 23, 2018 at 6:01 PM

    I love cinnamon but have never been a fan of it in my food; more of a dessert thing to me. The amount added in this recipe along with the cayenne and other spices made this a delicious choice. I used currents instead of cranberries because it’s what I had. Don’t go cheap on the olives. Good olives really make this wonderful!

    Reply

  56. Natalie L Leandro says

    January 12, 2019 at 1:10 PM

    I made this last night! I followed the recipe that the T and it turned out absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for the recipe I think this would be a great addition to a Thanksgiving feast too

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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