Velvet: Sattvic Butternut Squash & Spinach Soup
Title: Late-Winter Velvet: Sattvic Butternut Squash & Spinach Soup
Hey loves,
We’re right on the edge of spring, but winter’s still got a few squashes hiding in my pantry. Yesterday I pulled one out (the last of the bunch) and turned it into something soft, golden, and ridiculously nourishing: velvety butternut squash soup with spinach.
This one’s pure sattva—clear, light, calming. No onions, no garlic (they can stir up rajas and leave you buzzing when you’re craving quiet). Instead, I let the squash speak: a couple handfuls, parboiled in a slick of olive oil with salt, rosemary, sage, a whisper of asafoetida (hing—for digestion without drama), clove, cinnamon, fresh ginger, and just a quarter-teaspoon of coriander. That’s it. No store-bought broth—why bother when spices + water + heat = magic? The flavors marry, the squash melts, and suddenly you’ve got a silky, self-made base that tastes like home.
Near the end, I tossed in a handful of spinach—just enough green to brighten without overwhelming. For extra unctuousness (and a little crunch), I toasted some walnuts right in the pot. Two servings, done.
Top it with fresh paneer or goat cheese, a scatter of cilantro, maybe a slice of cornbread on the side (link below if you want my go-to). It’s gentle on the mind, kind to the heart—sattvic through and through. No heaviness, no overstimulation. Just warmth, ease, and a quiet thank-you to the season that’s finally letting go.
Recipe at a glance (serves 2):
2–3 cups butternut squash, cubed
1 Tbsp olive oil
Pinch sea salt
½ tsp rosemary + sage
Tiny pinch hing
⅛ tsp clove
¼ tsp cinnamon
1-inch ginger, grated
¼ tsp coriander
2 cups water
Handful spinach
Small handful walnuts, toasted
Optional: paneer/goat cheese + cilantro
Sauté spices in oil → add squash → cover with water → simmer till soft → blend → stir in spinach → finish with nuts. Done.
Winter’s winding down, but we’re still cozy. Spring will come—until then, let this soup hold you.
With love & steam,
Veena
P.S. Cornbread link: – it’s sweet, grounding, and perfect for dipping. 🌿
