Really Good Kale + Butternut Squash Fall Salad
This fall salad recipe combines the best of both worlds: kale salad and butternut squash salad, plus apples, nuts, seeds, and a cider vinaigrette for a gorgeous, seasonal salad.
Servings: 6 to 8 people as a side, 3 to 5 as a meal
Ingredients
For the Roasted Butternut Squash
- 1 1/2 pounds diced butternut squash, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- fresh black pepper
For the Maple Cider Vinaigrette (Yield: 3/4 cup)
- 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (I like Braggs)
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons minced shallot
- 1 tablespoon French whole grain mustard, such as Maille
Assembly
- 1 1/2 pounds roasted butternut squash (see above)
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2 bunches kale, curly or lacinato (flat-leaf)
- 1 large apple, thinly sliced
- 2/3 cup pecan halves
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- salt and pepper
Instructions
For the Butternut Squash
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line or grease a sheet pan.
- Toss the butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and some black pepper. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until soft. Keep warm or at room temperature. (Can be made up to two days in advance and then rewarmed.)
For the Vinaigrette
- Whisk together all of the ingredients until emulsified. Taste for seasoning.
To Assemble
- Toss the kale, squash, dried cranberries, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and apples together in a bowl. Add most, but not all, of the vinaigrette by running it around the edge of the mixing bowl. Toss until fully combined. Taste a leaf or two of kale to see if you need more vinaigrette and to check for seasoning. PRO TIP: Never dump your salad dressing in the middle of the salad and then stir. Always run the vinaigrette around the rim of the bowl. This helps diffuse the salad dressing more efficiently, and prevents the salad greens from being weighted down. In this case, kale is a little heartier, but this is an especially important tip with delicate greens.
- Serve, garnishing with an additional sprinkle of seeds or nuts.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is provided for courtesy purposes only, and is an estimate not verified by medical or nutrition experts. Read the full nutrition disclaimer.
