College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Butternut Squash Salad With Pine Nuts & Arugula


5.00 out of 5 stars 2 ratings, 213 likes

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5.00 out of 5 stars
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"Delicious and beautiful. Next time, I will toast the pine nuts separately, cut the cranberries down to 1/4 - 1/2 cup,..."
- Lee DeYoung Madison, WI

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How to Make Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp
1/4 c
1/4 c
1/4 lbs
2 c
1 tsp
1 tsp
1/2 tsp
1/4 tsp
1/4 lbs

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1) Preheat oven to 425.

2) Skin and chop butternut squash into 1/2 inch cubes. Coarsely chop red onion. Halve dried cranberries to make sure their flavor is released.

3) Toss in pine nuts, whole cumin seed, ground coriander, coarsely ground black pepper, salt and olive oil. Mix gently.

4) Roast, mixing gently every 15 minutes, for one hour or until squash is tender.

5) Serve over bed of fresh arugula tossed in a dash of olive oil.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Light yet hearty, arugula brings a fresh peppery flavor to the sweet satisfaction of butternut squash. This vibrant dish will help you feel as fresh and bright as an early spring garden. Toss some toasted pine nuts in the mix to finish this recipe with a rich, crunchy texture.

Awaken your Cells

Arugula is a bitter mustard green you often see added to "wake up" a heavy dish or a heavy body. Everywhere around you, little green shoots are bursting out of the earth during springtime, the metaphoric morning of the year. Your body will love the sharp peppery flavor and bitter bite of arugula as it awakens your digestive fire, and lightens your heavy blood. It is light and easy to digest for those with slow, cold digestion, or to help take a heavy meal and "lighten" it, so your body can assimilate the nutrients of the entire dish.

Cleansing Butternut Nourishment

While most tonic vegetables create dampness, squash are unusual in that they are hearty, and also drain excess fluids. This dual quality makes them ideal for those trying to lose winter water weight. Butternut's grounding sweetness gives you an emotional sense of stability as it gently reduces the amount of heavy water in your tissues.

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 Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula' 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.

Metabolic Nature of Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). 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.

Find Out More

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

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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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

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
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta 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.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
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

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

AGGRAVATES
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

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

Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Crunchy

CRUNCHY

Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula
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)
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' 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

,
Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

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

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' 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

Constituents:
Nitric Oxide

NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Catechins

CATECHINS

Antioxidant that reduces cancer and blood clots, dilates blood vessels, and is antimicrobial.

SEE ALL 'CATECHINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Tannins,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Resveratrol

RESVERATROL

Antioxidant frequently used for anti-aging. Protects airways and blood vessels. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic.

SEE ALL 'RESVERATROL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Saponins

SAPONINS

Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Vitamin C, Sulfated Polysaccharides, Vitamin E, Sulphur, Soluble Fiber, Protein, Fats,
Flavonoids

FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Phytates

PHYTATES

Phytates prevent absorption of nutrients. They are commonly found in all seeds, including nuts, grains, and beans. Sprouting greatly reduces phytate content, as well as long, slow cooking with vinegar.

SEE ALL 'PHYTATES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.

SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' FOODS / HERBS

, Polysaccharides, Beta Carotene, Sodium

Foods with a Similar Nature to Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula

  • Stinging Nettles

    Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Strengthens-resolve, Alterative, Nutritive, Builds-stamina, Satisfies-stomach

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  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Strengthens-resolve, Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy

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  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Diuretic, Strengthens-resolve

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  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Strengthens-resolve, Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy

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  • Butternut Squash

    Butternut Squash has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Alterative, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Lamb

    Lamb has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Strengthens-resolve, Nutritive, Builds-stamina, Satisfies-stomach

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  • Buffalo Milk

    Buffalo Milk has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Builds-stamina, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Soothes-throat

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  • Hemp Seed

    Hemp Seed has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Builds-stamina, Nutritive, Diuretic, Satisfies-stomach

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  • Buckwheat

    Buckwheat has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Strengthens-resolve, Nutritive, Diuretic, Satisfies-stomach

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  • Sesame Seeds

    Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Nutritive

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  • Popped Amaranth

    Popped Amaranth has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Alterative, Nutritive, Diuretic, Satisfies-stomach

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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Strengthens-resolve, Alterative

    LEARN MORE

  • Regular exercise

    Regular exercise has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Strengthens-resolve

    LEARN MORE

  • Shilajit Tonic

    Shilajit Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Elecampane

    Elecampane has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Vidari

    Vidari has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Soothes-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Balarishta- Vitality Tonic

    Balarishta- Vitality Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Strengthens-resolve

    LEARN MORE

  • Blue Vervain

    Blue Vervain has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Alterative

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  • Damiana

    Damiana has these Actions in Common

    Strengthens-resolve, Builds-stamina, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Hyssop Powder

    Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Spring

This recipe is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring recipes here.
VIEW ALL SPRING RECIPES MORE VATA / KAPHA 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 'Butternut Squash Salad With Pine Nuts & Arugula'

Do you like 'butternut squash salad with pine nuts & arugula'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'butternut squash salad with pine nuts & arugula'?

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 213 likes
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Lee DeYoung Madison, WI
2014-04-28
“Delicious and beautiful. Next time, I will toast the pine nuts separately, cut the cranberries down to 1/4 - 1/2 cup, and toss both with the roasted squash before serving. (They will burn if cooked with the squash.) Squash only needs to roast for 20 to 30 minutes. I tossed the arugula with a light, white wine vinaigrette before adding the squash mixture. Will make this one again!"
2023-03-05
“So good! A great weaning of heavy winter food by combining some cooked veggies with raw. Yum"
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