Stuffed Acorn Squash

I come from a place (Minnesota) where the seasons are very apparent. When we would get the first cooler days in September and the leaves would start to turn, I would inevitably start making some shifts of my own. I would get out my house slippers and cozy sweaters, start having fires in the fireplace again, drink more warm spiced beverages, and have heavier, more comforting meals. A cozying in would start to happen almost unconsciously. It was just the natural response to the changing world around me.

Now that I live in a sub-tropical environment, I don’t see the drastic changes in nature as much, but I still feel the subtler shifts that come with the seasons. It’s more of a feeling than anything else; the life within me that is connected to the rhythm of the greater whole always seeking balance and order.

During this time, I settle in a little more; I quiet my schedule and go a bit more inward. I feel a more intense desire to make the home peaceful and comfortable and part of that is making mealtimes special.

I have made stuffed acorn squash many times in my life and rarely do I make it the same way. In the past I’ve added cranberries, apples, or dried cherries to the stuffing. I’ve stuffed it with a bread stuffing and I’ve stuffed it with lentils. I’ve come up with different sauces to serve with it or to drizzle on top. But.... now that I’ve come to practice the principals of Ayurveda and reaped their implicit rewards, I generally prefer a more simple approach to cooking. Our agni (digestive fire) can more easily process and assimilate our meals when they are simply prepared and uncomplicated, and it takes less time and effort as well. I’ll get more into that in another post. ;)

I made this meal last night and it felt so very nourishing. It connected me with that autumnal pleasure that I grew up feeling. Cozy, comforting, creamy squash solace. :) Feel free to adjust as you’d like, of course, and make it your own. If you do make this recipe, try lighting a little candle at the dinner table, taking a few deep breaths before enjoying, and see what feelings arise for you. :)