College of Natural Diet & Digestion

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AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Acorn Squash With Ghee & Maple Syrup


4.75 out of 5 stars 4 ratings, 774 likes

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4.75 out of 5 stars
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"Our family had this dish as a staple growing up as my grandparents hand an organic farm and asparagus farm too. My dad..."
- Dawn West kelowna, BRITISH COLUMBIA

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How to Make Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Cut whole acorn squash in half. Place in 8x8 casserole dish.

2. Drizzle with ghee, maple syrup, and salt.

3. Poke acorn squash with a fork to let the flavor soak in.

4. Bake on 425 for one hour, covered.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Affectionate Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup comforts your heart with its abundant coziness, bringing the bounty of the autumn harvest to your home. As the sweetest of the squashes, this seasonal staple is sure to satisfy your appetite for fall restfulness. The pleasant toasty aroma of baking squash will summon your whole family to the table. Smooth rich, ghee adds a contented feel to acorn squash's softness, helping you feel more secure as the cold wind whips outside. A drizzle of maple syrup imparts a sweet final touch, making this easy-to-prepare recipe an irresistible fall treat.

Nourish & Reassure Your Body

As the temperatures dip in mid-October you might feel an urge to soothe yourself with comfort food. In autumn, your body naturally craves the reassurance of sweet, rich foods like Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup & Ghee. The healthy fats of ghee increase your strength and protect you from the fall chill, as they create an insulative layer of cozy warmth. Vata constitutions, who tend to be dry and easily depleted, are particularly nourished by the warming softness of this recipe.

Sweetly Safe

Acorn squash is smooth and easy to mash, making it an excellent comfort food that is even suitable for infants without molars. Although Acorn Squash is somewhat bland on its own, it sweetens with cooking. That makes it a natural choice for a dinnertime treat that won't cause a sugar rush, or leave you with a sweet tooth for dessert. Acorn Squash with Ghee and Maple Syrup can even be served as a gently sweet dessert.

High fiber foods like acorn squash are preferred to refined flours and sugars. Although their sweetness slightly aggravates Kapha, fiber makes these foods hearty and satisfying alternatives to wheat and dairy, and reduces its glycemic index. The natural sweetness of acorn squash also means that a small dab of maple syrup is often enough to satisfy your tongue. Ghee is much lighter than butter, and is safer for those with higher cholesterol. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, its time to start polishing your Ayurvedic baking skills with this safely sweet dish.

Mineral Rich Maple

The mere taste of Maple Syrup's rich aroma transports you back to nature, to the calm and cool serenity of the forest. The full bodied taste let's you know this is a whole food. Its earthy impurities add a rustic component that is likely to be rich in minerals. Maple syrup literally comes from the sap of maple trees, juice that is the very nutritional lifeline of the tree. Consuming it can nourish your body as well. As it digests more slowly than other sweeteners, maple syrup is a favorite in Ayurveda that won't create a sugar buzz.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Health Virtues of Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup

Personalized medicine systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, hebs, lifestyle choices, indivdual constitutions, and disease.

METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (vital qualtiies). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

AYURVEDA BODY TYPES (DOSHAS)

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

Other Health Virtues

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stool Softener

STOOL-SOFTENER

Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee.

SEE ALL 'STOOL-SOFTENER' FOODS / HERBS

,
General Laxative

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

Rebuilds Fluids

REBUILDS-FLUIDS

Herbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.

SEE ALL 'REBUILDS-FLUIDS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Promotes Fertility

PROMOTES-FERTILITY

An herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-FERTILITY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Promotes Virility

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

Encourages virility and potency.

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Builds Semen

BUILDS-SEMEN

Herbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-SEMEN' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Tonic

MUSCLE-TONIC

Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup

  • Ghee

    Ghee has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Relieves-burning, Builds-semen, Livotonic, Promotes-fertility, Stool-softener, Cholagogue, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Tonic, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Grape

    Grape has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Nutritive, Tonic, Alterative, General-laxative, Rebuilds-fluids, Builds-semen, Livotonic, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Dates (dried)

    Dates (dried) has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Muscle-tonic, Tonic, General-laxative, Nutritive, Alterative, Livotonic, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Sesame Seeds

    Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-semen, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, General-laxative, Promotes-fertility, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Tahini

    Tahini has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, General-laxative, Promotes-fertility, Tonic, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility

    LEARN MORE

  • Salt (Mineral Salt)

    Salt (Mineral Salt) has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Soothes-throat, General-laxative, Stool-softener, Cholagogue, Rebuilds-fluids, Strengthens-resolve

    LEARN MORE

  • Honey Dew

    Honey Dew has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Stool-softener, Diuretic, Rebuilds-fluids, Tonic, Livotonic, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Sesame Oil

    Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-semen, Nutritive, Tonic, Livotonic, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Almonds

    Almonds has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Builds-semen, Nutritive, Tonic, General-laxative, Promotes-virility

    LEARN MORE

  • Carrot

    Carrot has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Nutritive, Alterative, General-laxative, Tonic, Cholagogue, Livotonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Jackfruit

    Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Rebuilds-fluids, Tonic, Muscle-tonic, Relieves-burning, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Acorn Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup

  • Vidari

    Vidari has these Actions in Common

    Livotonic, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Soothes-throat, Alterative, Tonic, Builds-semen, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

    Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, General-laxative, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Rebuilds-fluids, Stool-softener, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Shatavari

    Shatavari has these Actions in Common

    Promotes-fertility, Relieves-burning, Soothes-throat, Stool-softener, Tonic, Builds-semen, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Promotes-virility, Rebuilds-fluids, Stool-softener, Tonic, Alterative, Builds-semen, General-laxative, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Strengthens-resolve, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Bala

    Bala has these Actions in Common

    Tonic, Builds-semen, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Promotes-virility

    LEARN MORE

  • Anantamul

    Anantamul has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Livotonic, Promotes-fertility, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Saw Palmetto

    Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

    Soothes-throat, Tonic, Diuretic, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

    Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

    Promotes-virility, Relieves-burning, Tonic, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Nutritive, Promotes-fertility, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Promotes-virility, Tonic, Alterative, Builds-semen, Cholagogue, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Autumn-Winter

This recipe is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter recipes here.
VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER RECIPES MORE VATA / PITTA RECIPES
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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

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Comments & Impressions of 'Acorn Squash With Ghee & Maple Syrup'

Do you like 'acorn squash with ghee & maple syrup'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'acorn squash with ghee & maple syrup'?

(4.75 out of 5 stars) 4 ratings, 774 likes
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Sue Dlugopolski Mequon, WI
2013-09-24
“Wish I would have poked the squash with a fork to let the ghee and syrup soak into the squash! Yum. felt like it needed a sprinkle of cinnamon..."
“Great suggestion! I'll add it to this recipe."
Dawn West kelowna, BRITISH COLUMBIA
2013-10-11
“Our family had this dish as a staple growing up as my grandparents hand an organic farm and asparagus farm too. My dad tapped the trees around the farm for maple syrup....eating local and keeping the prana wasn't something I knew about then but I can now see how lucky I was !!! Dawn British Columbia Canada."
freda blackerby St louis, MO
2014-10-10
“Delicious!"
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