Scalloped Parsnip & Rosemary

CONSTITUTIONAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS

Hearty Root Vegetable

The humble parsnip is a hearty and nutritious root vegetable often cast aside in favor of the more popular carrots, sweet potato or squash. Don't let other more brightly colored plants distract you from the parsnip. It's earthy sweet taste and versatility means it's a perfect springboard for creative cooking. Combined with onions and garlic in this recipe, a satisfying savory dish remains.

The warm, heavy and unctuous qualities of root vegetables nourishes, calms and sedates an aggravated Vata, literally keeping them grounded or 'rooted'. Historically, parsnips were often used as a meat substitute in times of fasting with good reason - an inexpensive, easily accessible and nutritionally dense option.

Cleansing

Parsnips are considered a 'cleansing' vegetable in Ayurveda. They pass the dietary fiber test with top marks, containing high quantities of soluble fiber. This encourages healthy and regular elimination of wastes, and can also contribute to lowering cholesterol levels, balancing blood sugars, and reducing the chance of developing diabetes.

A low-calorie option but high in starch content, parsnips are ideal for weight loss. We feel fuller for longer after munching on them, and are less likely to grab snacks throughout the day. In Ayurveda, nutrient rich, warm foods that limit snacking help support our metabolic and digestive functioning known as Agni.

When metabolism is working optimally, our bodies become more efficient fat burners, a win-win in the weight loss category! The drying and warming qualities of parsnip are also fitting for those looking to do an internal spring cleanse. Comforting and satisfying, this is a great guilt-free food to enjoy when cravings for a hearty meal hit.

Lymphatic Cleansing & Reduces Water Weight

If you suffer from puffy skin, stagnant fluids, or edema, the diuretic nature of parsnip combined with the warming qualities of rosemary, sage, and garlic promotes sweating and blood flow to the skin. This allows the body to flush excess water retention and reduce other cold conditions related to Kapha dosha, including managing the risk of obesity. This flushing, diuretic property is due to high amounts of potassium which also may be useful in cases of high blood pressure levels.
To top it off, sage's bitterness compliments the lymphatic cleansing nature of this recipe perfectly. This mixture of cleansing properties and heartiness is part of what makes parsnip so unique.

Boost your Mood

Parsnip contains high levels of folate which can be linked to lower levels of depression. This recipe also stimulates digestive metabolism (Agni) due to its warming qualities teamed with the bitter and pungent tastes associated with parsnip and rosemary. This heat also opens up circulation, bringing you energy and a sense of alertness to the body and mind. This combination altogether lifts the mood, especially on cold and wet days. These properties are supported by the aromatic effect of rosemary. Like most aromatic herbs, it's a nervine that soothes and relaxes nerve tissue and muscles. It works as an antispasmodic herb, releasing tension from the body. When you come home from a stressful day at work, let this meal aid your relaxation.

Warming Walnuts

Nuts, like root vegetables, are generally heavy in nature but with oily qualities too. For those with weak Agni (digestive strength), nuts can be a little difficult to digest. Teaming nuts with digestive herbs, like in this recipe, allows our gut to process and absorb the nutrients more efficiently.

The nut of choice in this case is walnut, rich in taste with warming and energizing properties. Chop some up and sprinkle on top before baking to add that crunchy texture. Roasting walnuts in this way helps break down tannic acids which can be irritating to some. Slices of sweet apple add the final piece to this delicious puzzle and add to the rustic country style of the dish. For those with weaker digestion, avoid these slices of apple because they are a challenging food combination.

Enjoy!

These scalloped parsnips can be enjoyed by almost everyone in Ayurvedic terms. It's a great vegetarian option to serve with some green vegetables on the side, or alongside steamed chicken or fish for meat eaters. Vegans can replace the ghee with coconut oil. Leave a Comment / Question

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