Heat a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and cook the onions with a small pinch of salt until just turning transparent and slightly browning.
½ large sweet onion chopped
While the onion is cooking cut up the sweet potato into small cubes.
1 Sweet Potato
Add the sweet potato to the pot with the onion. Continue to cook and occasional toss while you chop the zucchini.
Add the zucchini to the pot and the dry spices. Toss
2 small zucchini chopped, 3 teaspoon chili powder, 3 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoon dried cilantro, 2 teaspoon dried cumin, 1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
At this point your pot will be getting dry and possibly sticking a little. That's ok. Add the can of diced tomatoes and it should losen all up.
Add the can of black beans and stir everything together.
1 can black beans with liquid
Bring the chili to a boil then lower to a simmer and cover. Cook 20 minutes covered and then another 10 minutes or so uncovered until the sweet potato softens.