HONEYNUT SQUASH KITCHARI

3-4 servings, 25-30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp ghee

• 1 tsp mustard seeds

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 honeynut squash, peeled and chopped into cubes, inner seed part removed

• 2-3 celery sticks, chopped (optional)

• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, freshly ground

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder, freshly ground

• 1/8-1/4 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

• 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed

• 1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed

• 4-5 cups broth or water (veggie broth, bone broth, chicken broth will do)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Fresh lemon or lime juice for serving

• Fresh cilantro or parsley for serving
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Add ghee to a large pot over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Heat until aromatic and the mustard seeds begin to pop.

2. Add the chopped and peeled honeynut squash, celery, ginger, and powdered spices. Sauté with the squash for 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the rinsed basmati rice and lentils. Sauté with the squash and spices for about 1 minute.

4. Add the broth/ water and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Adjust the amount of broth/ water while cooking to reach a porridge-like consistency.

5. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Serve with a fresh squeeze of lemon or lime juice and a sprinkle of a fresh green herb such as cilantro or parsley.
   

#onepotmeal #vata #pitta #fall #winter

Notes

• This is a great pre-fall reset meal, if you have been feeling like you need a reset and some grounding, easy to digest, but don't want a typical kitchari.

• Like most early fall squashes, honeynut squash is cooling and sweet, great for both vatas and pittas. Its heavy and dense nature can be aggravating for kaphas. But, if you are a kapha, not to worry - if I were a kapha making this recipe, I would increase the amount of ginger and black pepper and serve it with a side of steamed greens! Kitchari in general is balancing for all doshas.

• When I first made this, I made it without celery, which is why I labeled it as optional. Celery adds a bitter and astringent taste to this dish which would help balance the sweet and heavy nature of honeynut squash - I would think about adding it in if you are a kapha or it feels intuitively right for you.