Ayurvedic Pumpkin Curry Soup

Harmony in a Bowl

As cookbook author Arman Liew of The Big Man’s World puts it, this recipe for pumpkin soup falls right under the ‘classic fall dish’ category! It is easy, yummy, and affordable to make. Bonus-it warms your heart in the season!

The pumpkin season is officially upon us! When the leaves begin turning to vibrant hues of orange and red and the crisp autumn air settles in all around us, there’s no denying that a bowl of pumpkin curry soup spells comfort to us. This dish is the embodiment of the very essence of the season and is an Ayurvedic delight. According to ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, pumpkin comes loaded with vital prana or life force! One can never go wrong with a bowl of warm and silky pumpkin curry soup. So don’t wait—let’s start whipping!

Ayurveda encourages us to embrace seasonal eating for a healthier body with nutritious meals.

During fall, when the temperature dips and the days grow shorter, our bodies seek warmth and grounding in natural ways. Pumpkin curry soup, made with aromatic spices and hearty ingredients, aligns perfectly to give you the warmth and grounding that the body needs this time of the year, as per Ayurveda.

Singin’ Pumpkin’s Praises Through the Lens of Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the fall season is associated with the Vata dosha, which is dry, cold, and mobile when out of balance. To balance Vata, we should seek warming, nourishing, and grounding foods. This beloved pumpkin curry soup checks all the boxes!

• Pumpkin A quintessential fall ingredient, pumpkin’s sweet, earthy flavor helps keep Vata in check! It is also rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals, which makes it a healthy soup option!
• Spices The addition of cinnamon and curry powder adds flavor to the pumpkin curry soup and contributes to its inherent warmth! In Ayurveda, these spices are revered for their ability to reignite the digestive fire, or Agni, which usually weakens during the fall.
• Coconut Milk Coconut milk adds a creamy richness to the pumpkin curry soup while providing healthy fats that help lubricate the body. It also combats dryness, a common Vata problem.
• Ayurvedic Adaptations To make this recipe even more Ayurveda-friendly, you can replace butter with good-quality ghee (clarified butter) to help nourish Vata. Additionally, you can change the spicy level up or down to suit your dosha by adjusting the amount of curry powder and hot chili flakes.

We must also mention that this pumpkin curry soup recipe is gluten-free and easily made vegan if you use water or vegetable stock for a stock base.

A Cozy Embrace in the Freezer

One of the practical aspects of this recipe is its freezer-friendly nature. Life can get busy, and having a batch of homemade pumpkin curry soup tucked away in your freezer is like having a warm hug waiting for you when cooking feels daunting. Thoughtful meal planning can simplify your daily routine, allowing you more time to enjoy the season.

The Many Avatars of Pumpkin Curry Soup

What we love most about this pumpkin curry soup recipe is its versatility. Whether preparing it on a cozy evening at home or sharing it with friends and family at a gathering, this soup adapts beautifully to different settings. Its vibrant color and inviting aroma make it an ideal starter for autumn dinner parties, and its comforting nature makes it equally suitable for a quiet night by the fireplace. It embodies the spirit of the season and the joys of mindful eating, making it a delightful addition to your fall and winter culinary repertoire.

Ayurvedic eating is not just about nourishing the body; it’s about nurturing the soul, where you learn to appreciate every moment and savor each bite. The carefully selected ingredients of this soup balance flavors, textures, and doshas—creating a harmonious and satisfying meal. Let’s explore the main ingredients.

Pumpkin Pumpkin’s sweet and grounding nature aligns with Ayurvedic principles and offers comfort during the fall season that’s dominated by Vata.

Carrots Carrots are naturally sweet and have many digestive benefits. They are a Sattvic food and promote clarity, calmness, and balance.

Onion Onions are known to stimulate Agni (digestive fire) in Ayurveda, which aids in the efficient digestion of the soup.

Garlic Garlic, with its pungent taste, helps in removing toxins and is valued for its immune-boosting properties.

Ginger Ginger’s warming qualities are known to pacify Vata while also enhancing digestion, making it a vital Ayurvedic ingredient for the soup.

Vegetable Broth High-quality vegetable broth aligns with Ayurvedic principles by providing a nourishing and digestible base for the soup.

Coconut Milk Unsweetened coconut milk adds richness and a little sweetness while aligning with Ayurveda’s focus on balancing flavors and energies.

Spices (Black Pepper, Curry Powder, and Cinnamon): These spices are carefully chosen to kindle Agni, improve digestion, and create a balanced flavor profile in Ayurvedic cooking.

Salt Salt, in moderation, enhances and balances taste and aids digestion in Ayurveda.

RECIPE: AYURVEDIC PUMPKIN CURRY SOUP

Our pumpkin curry soup is an easy, quick, and mess-free one-pot recipe.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb pumpkin cubed
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ginger minced
2 large carrots chopped
2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups coconut milk canned

Instructions

1. Add the butter into a large soup pot and place over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic.
2. Add the pumpkin, curry powder, cinnamon, ginger, and carrots, followed by the vegetable stock. Season with salt and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the pumpkin is soft and tender.
3. Remove the soup pot off the heat and using a blender or food processor, blend until smooth.
4. Place the soup back over the heat and stir through the coconut milk.

Store, Freeze, Reheat

Safeguard your pumpkin soup’s vitality by storing it in an airtight vessel. This preserves its nourishing qualities, ensuring it remains fresh for up to seven days.

Embrace the principle of mindful preservation. Freeze your pumpkin soup in portioned quantities to avoid waste.

As you prepare to rekindle the warmth of your pumpkin soup, do so with care. Transfer into a vessel and gently reawaken its flavors over low-medium heat. Stir, and add more stock or water if needed.

Incorporate this soul-warming pumpkin curry soup into your fall menu, and as you savor each spoonful, don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the wisdom of Ayurveda and the beauty of the fall season.