Why Taro and Greens Soup is the Best Late-Winter Ayurvedic Recipe
Feeling the seasonal shift but not quite ready for a full cleanse? This nourishing Ayurvedic soup supports digestion while gently transitioning your body from winter to spring.
It is still cold and wintery, but at least here in the UK, with the lack of snow and truly wintery temperatures, the appetite might already start shifting to something lighter. But: Ayurveda suggests staying with the winter food until mid-March.
This is one of my favourite dishes—it’s perfect for digestion and can be enjoyed all year round. Right now, it’s especially ideal for a late-winter diet.
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The Ayurvedic Benefits of Taro vs. Potatoes
I grew up with potatoes; we ate them nearly daily all year.
As nightshades, potatoes get a bad reputation, as they are seen as inflammatory. However, as Shreeguruji used to say, ‘Potatoes don’t spoil the body.
But if you want to avoid potatoes, Ayurveda offers a nourishing alternative that supports digestion while keeping Vata balanced: the humble taro roots.
Let's compare both:
Both are carbohydrates and starchy.
Leafy Greens for Liver and Blood Health
Greens like kale and spinach are powerful allies for detoxification and seasonal transitions. They:
Are high in chlorophyll, which helps detoxify the liver and cleanse the blood.
Provide essential minerals that support energy levels and immunity.
Aid in lung health, making them particularly useful as winter ends.
Recipe: Mung Dal with Taro & Leafy Greens
Tip: Want to make this a heartier meal? Add mung dal for an extra boost of easily digestible protein
Soak the mung dal at least 1 hour before cooking. Cook with double the amount of water until the beans break apart. Start cooking the dal before the soup. Then, mix it into the soup. Add the mung dal only. Take some of the cooking water if needed for the right consistency.
How to Best Prepare and Store Ingredients
Some dishes can be prepared in advance; however, this one is best to prepare straight before cooking.
Both potatoes and taro are best to be peeled just before cooking. Both tend to discolour quite quickly. Although, if you use potatoes, you could prepare and store them in water in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but in my experience, the potatoes don’t cook as soft. But, by all means, give it a go.
Should you use garden spinach, which is slightly firmer in texture with bigger leaves, you can wash the leaves, dry them, and store them wrapped in a kitchen towel in the fridge. It is best to cut them just before cooking.
Alternatively, use kale, chard or a mixture of leafy greens.
The Best Time & Way to Enjoy This Soup for Gut Health
Best eaten in the evening as a light, grounding meal.
It makes a substantial lunch when mung dal is added.
If Kapha is dominant, use more spinach; taro/potatoes are starchy.
It pairs well with a bowl of cooked, plain quinoa for a balanced meal if you don’t use mung dal.
Final Thoughts
As we move through the last stretch of winter, nourishing our digestion with grounding, seasonal foods become essential. This Taro & Greens Soup offers the perfect bridge between the hearty warmth of winter meals and spring’s lighter, cleansing foods. With its prebiotic benefits, Taro supports gut health while balancing Vata, making it a fantastic alternative to potatoes. Leafy greens provide vital minerals and detoxifying properties, helping to cleanse the liver and prepare the body for seasonal change.
Ayurveda teaches us that health is about rhythm and balance, not sudden shifts. This recipe embraces that philosophy, offering warmth, nourishment, and gentle support as you transition into spring. Whether enjoyed as a light dinner or a more substantial meal with mung dal, it’s a simple yet deeply healing dish to add to your seasonal routine.
Are you ready to enjoy the season with more Ayurvedic wisdom? Stay tuned for more recipes and tips to help you align your diet with nature—one delicious meal at a time.
Now, I’d love to hear from you: What’s your favourite food right now? What’s your appetite telling you? Share your thoughts with me on social media! Feel free to share your thoughts below!
Let’s start a conversation. Leave a message on Instagram, Facebook, or even a good old email OR comment below :)
I love hearing from you!
Katja x
P.S. Did you know healthy eating habits goes really well with a yummy dish😉
