Winter Salad with Seasonal Produce (Printable View)
A hearty mix of winter greens, roasted squash, apple slices, pomegranate, and creamy cheese topped with nuts.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables & Fruits
01 - 4 cups mixed winter greens (kale, spinach, arugula)
02 - 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium red apple, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup roasted butternut squash cubes
05 - ½ cup pomegranate arils
→ Cheese & Nuts
06 - ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
07 - ⅓ cup toasted walnuts or pecans
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss butternut squash cubes with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet for 20 minutes, turning once, until tender and golden. Let cool slightly.
02 - In a large bowl, mix winter greens, sliced fennel, and apple. Add roasted squash and pomegranate arils.
03 - Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss gently to combine.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and toasted walnuts or pecans over the salad just before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It brings color and crunch to the table when everything else feels brown and sluggish.
- The sweet-tart dressing ties together roasted squash and crisp apples in a way that makes you forget it's good for you.
- You can prep the components ahead and toss everything together in under five minutes when hunger strikes.
02 -
- Don't skip cooling the squash slightly before adding it to the greens, or you'll end up with wilted, sad leaves instead of a crisp salad.
- Taste your dressing before pouring it on and adjust the sweetness or acidity to match your mood and the tartness of your apples.
03 -
- Use a mandoline to slice the fennel and apple paper-thin for the most elegant texture and even distribution of flavors.
- Shake the dressing in a jar with a tight lid instead of whisking, it emulsifies faster and cleanup is a breeze.