Make fun of nacho lovers all you want—I'll happily eat your portion. Not the gooey, glowing cheese sauce poured over chips sold at stadium games. I’m dreaming of thick, hearty corn chips scattered luxuriously with spicy meats, melting cheese, and eye-popping pickled peppers.
We plan on serving just such a treat on Halloween. Nachos feel like the perfect casual food for the adults to nibble on between handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Our 2023 version of nachos features a richly flavored turkey and black bean mixture, roasted pumpkin, and a blanket of melting cheese. Really, what’s not to like?
To accompany the nachos, our menu includes freshly made guacamole, studded with fire-roasted corn (from the freezer case and thawed), and crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds. A platter of sliced jicama, cucumber, and baby carrots serve as guacamole vehicles.
Bowls of chili-spiced nuts pair well with local beers and ciders. Plus, the salty goodness counteracts the candy we intend on consuming. Other items on the menu could include a quick shrimp cocktail made from cooked shrimp, spicy tomato salsa, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and avocado chunks to serve on chips or crostini. An assortment of cheese, salamis, and crackers help feed an expanding crowd.
For successful nachos, select the best corn chips available. I like the thickish, homemade-style chips sold at local Mexican markets in paper sacks. Don’t use very thin chips, as they will not hold up well to the hearty toppings. Do arrange chips in a mostly single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Add the toppings to the chips just before popping the pan in the hot oven. Serve right away for the crispiest chips.
The roasted pumpkin is optional but delicious here. Use a small pie pumpkin or a hunk of calabaza squash from a Mexican market. Leftover roasted pumpkin tastes great over a green salad or as a garnish for soups.
Work ahead so you can enjoy the guests. The meat mixture and roasted pumpkin can be made several days in advance. Set out all the nacho toppings up to 1 hour before serving.
The spiced nuts also can be made days before the party. Homemade guacamole can be made up to four hours before serving, just be sure to put plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guac to prevent browning.
This recipe makes enough meat topping for two sheet pans of chips. Each pan will serve three or four hearty eaters; more if you are serving these as an appetizer before dinner. Of course, you can always serve the meat mixture and toppings over crispy tostadas for a less communal appetizer.
No need to worry about dessert with this party menu. Everyone loves Halloween candy.
A Halloween Party Menu
- Pumpkin and black bean nachos (see recipe)
- Chile-spiced nuts with pumpkin seeds and cranberries (see recipe)
- Guacamole with fire-roasted corn and pumpkin seeds
- Sliced jicama, cucumbers, and carrots
- Shrimp cocktail with salsa on crostini
- Assorted cheese and salami platter
Pumpkin and Black Bean Nachos
Makes 6 to 8 servings
