Keeping tabs on what you eat is a great way to keep your dosha in balance. Vatas are more susceptible to digestive disorders than the other doshas so what you eat plays a big role in keeping your Vata dosha in balance.
This simple pumpkin soup recipe is made for Vatas. Since Vata is drying, cooling, and light, you should favor foods that are oily, warming, or heavy—like pumpkin soup. Pumpkins are a winter squash with a sweet flavor that soothes the Vata dosha. The cheerful pumpkin’s orange flesh is also packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps improve immune function and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. A cup of cooked pumpkin has just 49 calories, 2.7 grams of fiber, 567 milligrams of potassium, and 5,116 micrograms of vitamin A.
If using fresh pumpkin, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wash the pumpkin, cut in half, and remove seeds. Place the pumpkin halves face down in a baking pan. Pour in the water and cover pan with foil. Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the pumpkin pulls out easily.
Let cool; then remove the pumpkin pulp from the rind with a spoon. Place into a bowl and set aside. You should have about 3 cups of pumpkin pulp.
Heat a soup pot over medium heat and add the oil. Add the leeks and spices. Sauté for 4 or 5 minutes or until the leeks are translucent. Add some stock if the mixture begins to dry.
Add the pumpkin pulp and continue to sauté for another 3 or 4 minutes. Add the aminos or tamari and brown the pumpkin pulp slightly.
Add the vegetable stock to cover the pumpkin and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Using a hand blender or food processor, purée the soup to a smooth and creamy consistency, adding the milk as you purée the soup. Return the soup to the pot and reheat if necessary.
Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Tip: Don’t throw away the pumpkin seeds. You can make a tasty snack by roasting these hearty seeds, which are a good source of protein and zinc.
Serves 4 to 6
Bon appétit!
Shop: Add flavor and warmth to your next meal with the Vata Surya Spice Blend
This simple pumpkin soup recipe is made for Vatas. Since Vata is drying, cooling, and light, you should favor foods that are oily, warming, or heavy—like pumpkin soup. Pumpkins are a winter squash with a sweet flavor that soothes the Vata dosha. The cheerful pumpkin’s orange flesh is also packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps improve immune function and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. A cup of cooked pumpkin has just 49 calories, 2.7 grams of fiber, 567 milligrams of potassium, and 5,116 micrograms of vitamin A.
Not a Vata? |
Very Simple Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:- 1 large pumpkin (about 3 pounds), or 3 cups canned pumpkin (preferably organic)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon ghee or olive oil
- 1 cup chopped leeks or onions
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves, ground
- 2 to 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon Braggs Liquid Aminos or tamari sauce
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk (regular milk is also fine)
- Nutmeg for garnish
If using fresh pumpkin, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wash the pumpkin, cut in half, and remove seeds. Place the pumpkin halves face down in a baking pan. Pour in the water and cover pan with foil. Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the pumpkin pulls out easily.
Let cool; then remove the pumpkin pulp from the rind with a spoon. Place into a bowl and set aside. You should have about 3 cups of pumpkin pulp.
Heat a soup pot over medium heat and add the oil. Add the leeks and spices. Sauté for 4 or 5 minutes or until the leeks are translucent. Add some stock if the mixture begins to dry.
Add the pumpkin pulp and continue to sauté for another 3 or 4 minutes. Add the aminos or tamari and brown the pumpkin pulp slightly.
Add the vegetable stock to cover the pumpkin and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Using a hand blender or food processor, purée the soup to a smooth and creamy consistency, adding the milk as you purée the soup. Return the soup to the pot and reheat if necessary.
Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Tip: Don’t throw away the pumpkin seeds. You can make a tasty snack by roasting these hearty seeds, which are a good source of protein and zinc.
Serves 4 to 6
Bon appétit!
How to Choose a Pumpkin
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