Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey that combines the cozy flavors of fall with the freshness of a salad? Look no further! In today’s recipe, we will be preparing a Butternut Squash Salad that’s a perfect marriage of sweet and savory, with a touch of nuttiness. This delightful Butternut Squash Salad features roasted butternut squash, peppery arugula, juicy pomegranate seeds, creamy Feta cheese, and a tangy honey-mustard dressing that will leave your taste buds singing. It’s a dish that captures the essence of autumn and is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
For the Roasted Delicious Butternut Squash Salad:
- Butternut Squash or Small Pumpkin: This star ingredient is the salad’s heart and soul. You’ll need one butternut squash or one small pumpkin, both of which should be diced into bite-sized chunks. The squash lends a sweet, earthy flavor to the salad as well as a brilliant orange color.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle of olive oil is used to coat the squash, ensuring it roasts to perfection. It also adds a subtle richness to the dish.
- Salt: The primary spice for butternut squash is salt, which enhances its natural sweetness and overall flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a warm, savory aroma to the squash, making it the perfect companion to the sweet pumpkin.
- Smoked Paprika:Smoked paprika provides a smokiness to the meal, boosting the overall depth of taste.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, soothing aroma to the roasted squash, as well as a bit of spiciness.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a distinct and slightly nutty flavor to the squash, enhancing its flavor profile.
For the Salad:
- Arugula: The salad’s basis is arugula, a colorful and peppery leafy green. It’s the ideal complement to the sweet roasted squash, with a crisp, somewhat nutty flavor.
- Pomegranate Seeds: These jewel-like seeds burst with sweet-tart juice, offering a refreshing burst of freshness and texture.
- Feta Cheese: On top of the salad, crumbled feta cheese adds creaminess and acidity to temper the sweetness.
- Prune: The prune adds a natural sweetness to the meal as well as a bit of earthiness. It adds a fresh and unexpected twist to the salad.
- Fresh Parsley for Topping: Fresh parsley leaves provide a burst of herbal freshness and a bright green contrast to the vibrant colors of the dish.
For the Dressing:
- Honey: The honey gives the dressing a sweet and syrupy flavor that balances the acidity of the vinegar and mustard.
- Apple Cider Vinegar:ACV provides a tart accent to the dressing, boosting the salad’s overall flavor profile.
- Mustard: Mustard adds a subtle pungency and a hint of spice to the dressing, bringing all of the tastes together.
- Olive Oil: The dressing’s foundation is olive oil, which provides a rich and silky texture while also improving the salad’s overall mouthfeel.
Expert Notes for this Delicious Butternut Squash Salad
- Squash Preparation: When chopping the butternut squash, make sure the pieces are of the same size. This guarantees that no portion is under-cooked or overcooked. Also, don’t throw out the squash seeds; you can roast them separately for a crunchy garnish.
- Roasting Perfection: Keep an eye on the squash as it roasts. The idea is for the texture to be soft and caramelized. Consider sprinkling a sprinkle of brown sugar over the squash before roasting for an extra layer of sweetness to enhance the caramelization.
- Dressing Balance: The honey-mustard dressing is an important part of this Butternut Squash Salad. Adjust the honey and mustard as you go to achieve the proper combination of sweet and acidic. You can also experiment with different types of mustard, such as Dijon or whole-grain, to create interesting flavor combinations.
- Prune Selection: When choosing prunes, look for plump and juicy ones. They should be soft but not overly dried out. Consider using pitted prunes and cutting them into small pieces for even distribution in the salad.
- Serving Temperature: Serve this Butternut Squash Salad slightly cooled or at room temperature for the greatest flavor and texture. The coolness of the arugula and pomegranate seeds complements the warmth of the roasted squash and the richness of the Feta cheese perfectly.
Want more salad recipes?
Instructions for the Delicious Butternut Squash Salad
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Begin by washing and peeling the butternut squash. Then, dice it into bite-sized pieces. These little squares of joy will become the heart of your salad.
- In a large bowl, toss the diced butternut squash with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure each piece is coated evenly with the aromatic spices.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and evenly spread the seasoned butternut squash on it.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning the squash halfway through to ensure even cooking. The squash should be tender and slightly caramelized when done.
- Remove the roasted butternut squash from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. The combination of spices will have created an enticing aroma that will fill your kitchen.
- In a salad bowl, start by creating a bed of fresh arugula. The arugula provides a peppery and slightly nutty base for your salad, which complements the sweetness of the pumpkin.
- Next, add the cooled roasted butternut squash cubes. These vibrant orange morsels will be the highlight of your dish.
- Sprinkle the salad with pomegranate seeds, which burst with juicy goodness, providing a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.
- Now, crumble the Feta cheese over the top of the Butternut Squash Salad. The creamy, slightly tangy Feta harmonizes beautifully with the other ingredients.
- To balance the flavors with a hint of sweetness and earthiness, scatter the diced prune over the salad.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and olive oil. The dressing’s tangy and sweet notes will elevate the entire salad.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, ensuring even coverage. The dressing binds all the elements together, creating a harmonious medley of flavors.
- Finally, garnish yourButternut Squash Salad with fresh parsley leaves for a touch of herbal freshness.
- Dive into a plate of this delicious and nutritious Butternut Squash Salad. The roasted butternut squash provides a warm, comforting essence of autumn, while the arugula, pomegranate seeds, Feta cheese, and honey-mustard dressing add layers of flavor and texture.
- This Pumpkin Salad is perfect for fall gatherings, holiday feasts, or just when you’re craving a taste of the season. It’s a celebration of the vibrant colors and flavors that autumn has to offer. Every bite is a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and nutty, making it a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this Nutty Butternut Squash Salad is more than just a dish; it’s an expression of the season’s bounty. The roasted butternut squash, with its warm and earthy spices, is a comforting reminder of fall’s embrace. The arugula, pomegranate seeds, and Feta cheese bring a delightful contrast, offering freshness and creaminess to every bite. And let’s not forget the honey-mustard dressing, which ties all these elements together with its tangy sweetness.
This salad is not just a feast for your taste buds but also a visual delight with its vibrant colors and textures. It’s a versatile dish that can grace your Thanksgiving table, accompany a cozy dinner, or simply brighten up a regular weekday lunch.
With the delightful flavors of this Pumpkin Salad, you’re not just creating a meal; you’re crafting a culinary experience. This Butternut Squash Salad is a testament to the artistry of combining contrasting flavors and textures to create a harmonious whole. So, make it, share it, and savor the flavors of fall with every bite.
Deliciously Nutty Butternut Squash Salad
Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey that combines the cozy flavors of fall with the freshness of a salad?
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash or 1 small pumpkin diced in to bitesize pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
The salad:
- 2 cups arugula
- 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- 2 tbsp feta cheese
- 1 prune pitted and dices in small pieces
- fresh parsley for topping
Dressing:
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tbsp ACV
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Begin by washing and peeling the butternut squash. Then, dice it into bite-sized pieces. These little squares of joy will become the heart of your salad.
- In a large bowl, toss the diced butternut squash with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure each piece is coated evenly with the aromatic spices.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and evenly spread the seasoned butternut squash on it.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning the squash halfway through to ensure even cooking. The squash should be tender and slightly caramelized when done.
- Remove the roasted butternut squash from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. The combination of spices will have created an enticing aroma that will fill your kitchen.
- In a salad bowl, start by creating a bed of fresh arugula. The arugula provides a peppery and slightly nutty base for your salad, which complements the sweetness of the pumpkin.
- Next, add the cooled roasted butternut squash cubes. These vibrant orange morsels will be the highlight of your dish.
- Sprinkle the salad with pomegranate seeds, which burst with juicy goodness, providing a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.
- Now, crumble the Feta cheese over the top of the salad. The creamy, slightly tangy Feta harmonizes beautifully with the other ingredients.
- To balance the flavors with a hint of sweetness and earthiness, scatter the diced prune over the salad.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and olive oil. The dressing's tangy and sweet notes will elevate the entire salad.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, ensuring even coverage. The dressing binds all the elements together, creating a harmonious medley of flavors.
- Finally, garnish your Pumpkin Salad with fresh parsley leaves for a touch of herbal freshness.
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Thank You
Thank you so much for reading this blog! I hope you try this recipe and that you enjoy it as much as
my family and I did! When you do make this Nutty Pumpkin Salad, be sure to tag me on Instagram @pure_plates_recipe!
See you soon!
Low-carb made with Love
