Ayurvedic Turmeric Latte Spice Squash Recipe
Are you ready to dive into a dish that warms your heart and balances your doshas? Turmeric Latte Spice Squash is not just delicious; it embodies the Ayurvedic belief that food is medicine. This vibrant recipe tantalizes your taste buds while delivering essential nutrients. It satiates Pitta, grounds Vata, and with simple modifications, it's gently cleansing for Kapha. Let’s explore the ingredients, preparation steps, and health benefits, along with practical tips to turn your meals into medicine.
1. Understanding the Star Ingredients
The star ingredients in your Turmeric Latte Spice Squash are turmeric, squash, and an aromatic blend of traditional Ayurveda spices.
In Ayurveda, food is medicine. Turmeric has been cherished in Ayurveda for centuries due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies show that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, can reduce inflammation. The natural sweetness of squash, rich in vitamins A and C, enhances the dish's flavor profile, creating a perfect harmony.
What Is A Winter Squash?
Ok, first, some of you have asked me, what's a winter squash. These are the hard squashes that are harvest in the fall as compared to soft summer squashes, such as zucchini, yellow crook neck, and Mexican grey squash. The name, "winter squash" tells you everything you need to know. Pick them or buy them and starting eating them now . Go to your local growers market so you're practicing "Seasonal Eating: How to Balance Doshas With the Right Foods." Winter squash can be stored for several months depending on the squash variety and storage conditions. This way, you can eat local produce even when it's freezing out!
Choose squash varieties like acorn, delicta, butternut or pumpkin; approximately 50% of the world's pumpkin supply is used in the US alone, highlighting its popularity and health benefits!
15 Types of Winter Squash You'll Want to Get To Know
Here's a quick list of 15 winter squashes. Variety is the spice of life and each squash offers different nutrients, enjoy them all.
Acorn
Buttercup
Butternut
Honeynut
Delicata
Dumpling
Hubbard
Kabocha
Pumpkin
Spaghetti
Cushaw
Fig leaf squash
Banana squash
Boston marrow
Calabaza
If you want more variety still, go to your local Indian, Mexican and other community markets. You'll find some new food treasures there. Today, after listening to the cold winds howling last night, I made Calabaza en tacha which is a homey comfort Mexican dish used for desayuno (breakfast) or cena (supper).
Served with a warm spiced mug of Golden Milk Turmeric Latte, it was grounding for Vata which was stirred up by the strong winds, and satiating for Pitta which needs to be fed a fairly substantial breakfast.
2. Preparing Your Squash
Before cooking, it's essential to prep your squash properly. Start by selecting a medium-sized squash. Here's a tip for determining if a winter squash is ripe: the stem should be fairly thick, woody, brownish, dry, and cracked. Here's how to prepare it:
Wash the Squash: Rinse under cold water.
Slice It: Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Depending on the variety of squash you chose, you may want to cut it into rings. Do what works for you, you can't do it wrong. Be sure you have placed the squash such that it cannot roll away from you. A rubber cutting mat is a nice option. The other day I made acorn squash and I just sliced into three wedges. Why three? That's based on the size of the acorn squash. If it was a smaller acorn squash, I'd likely gone with two wedges. You get the picture.
Peeled or Unpeeled? I leave the peel on as it serves as nature's perfect cooking container. Certain varieties are great with the peel on. Acorn, delicata, and honeynut squash become thin and crunchy and are edible.
Acorn squash skin is abundant in antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds known as polyphenols. Research indicates that these substances offer anti-inflammatory properties and shield the body from harmful oxidation, potentially lowering the chances of developing chronic illnesses. Rich in fiber and vitamin A, squash skin is a nutritious.
Cut thicker-skinned squash into wedges, roast it, and then peel off the softened skin after cooking for easier removal. You'll know what to do with each squash. If it's wearing armor, don't eat the skin and be careful when you're cutting it up. If the skin becomes thin and snappy, such as with acorn squash, eat it up.
3. The Spice Blend for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
Crafting a flavorful spice blend is crucial for your Turmeric Latte Spice Squash. Here’s a vibrant spice mix from the Saumya Kitchen that brings everything together:
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon cinnamon (Vata and Kapha can use more)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (Vata and Kapha can use more)
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder (Vata and Kapha can use more)
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Green cardamom: Generally considered a cooling spice (Pitta can use more)
- Black cardamom: Generally considered a warming spice
Pinch of clove powder (Pitta can omit or use sparingly)
Salt to taste (Red Alaea Hawaiian is chock full of minerals and tastes great.)
A pinch of black pepper or pippali to enhance turmeric absorption (Vata and Kapha can use more)
Mix these spices well for a delightful blend. This combination not only enhances flavor but also maximizes the health benefits of your dish. This is a digestive spice mix from the Saumya Kitchen that supports balanced agni (digestive fire), reduces ama (toxins), enhances absorption, and supports healthy elimination.
4. Cooking the Squash
Now onto the fun part—cooking your squash!
Bake or Sauté: Depending on your squash choice, you can bake or sauté it. I prefer to bake the squash as it frees me up to prepare other parts of the recipe or meal. If you opt to sauté, heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cubed squash and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender. If you bake it, look up how long to bake that squash for and at what temperature. For an acorn squash in a toaster oven, I baked it for about an hour at 375 degrees. Grab a fork and give it a poke. You want the squash to be fork-tender.
Add Spices: Add the Turmeric Latte Spice blend to the squash. When baking the squash, drizzle a small amount of dosha balancing oil into a pan and then sprinkle in the spice mix. Stir the spices into the oil for approximately two minutes to ensure thorough mixing and release of aromas. Pour this mixture over the squash. If you are sautéing the squash, just add the spice mix and ensure that each piece is evenly coated.
That's it! You're done. These methods allows the spices to infuse deeply into the squash, making every bite bursting with flavor.
5. Blending It Into a Soup
If you want a squash soup, here's how you can transform it into a creamy soup!
Blend: Use an immersion blender or standard blender to puree until smooth. If it's too thick, stir in a bit more broth or water for that latte-like consistency.
Enrich: Stir in a cup of coconut milk or any plant-based milk for a creamy twist.
Season: Taste and adjust your seasoning, adding more salt or spices as desired.
The result? A luxurious and aromatic dish that captures the essence of Ayurvedic cooking.
6. Serving Suggestions
Presentation is key when serving your Turmeric Latte Spice Squash. Here are some simple ideas to enhance your dish:
Garnish: Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top for an inviting aroma and flavor. For Pitta, shredded coconut and roasted seeds and nuts can be added.
Accompaniments: Pair with whole grain bread or toast with ghee. This combo aids digestion and rounds out the meal. A cup of warm, spiced milk is another great option.
Bowl it if you made squash soup: Serve in a beautiful bowl and add a dollop of cream for extra creaminess.
These touches will elevate your dining experience, making it not just a meal but a feast for the senses.
7. Health Benefits
Your Turmeric Latte Spice Squash is a powerhouse of health benefits, aligning perfectly with the Ayurvedic notion of food as medicine. Here are some highlights:
Anti-Inflammatory: Research indicates that turmeric can reduce inflammation.
Digestive Health: With about 2 grams of fiber per half cup, squash helps maintain good digestion—essential for overall wellness.
Boosts Immunity: The spices and squash together enhance your immune defense, potentially reducing the risk of seasonal illnesses by improving your body’s response.
This dish is a wonderful way to nourish your body and soul in one go.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating Turmeric Latte Spice Squash into your menu adds flavor and connects you to the Ayurvedic tradition of viewing food as one of three tools of Saumya Ayurveda's healing trifecta. This recipe invites you to savor the flavors and enjoy the health benefits it brings.
So why wait? Give this warming dish a try today. You may find that the simple act of cooking and enjoying food mindfully becomes a rewarding and transformative experience.
Ayurvedic Turmeric Latte Spice Squash Recipe
Benefit from Ayurveda today with these healing, food as medicine recipes, from Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurveda and meditation teacher, and monk, Veena Blilie.
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Simply being from India does not make herbs Ayurvedic, nor does the label "organic" guarantee suitability for you. Herbs are considered Ayurvedic when integrated into your personalized Ayurvedic plan, carefully crafted to address your constitution and dosha imbalances. An herb that may be beneficial for one individual's condition could have adverse effects on another.