Ingredients
Roasted Butternut Squash
- 1 butternut squash (1 1/2-pounds) peeled and chopped into 1/2-3/4” cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- Dash of cayenne
Salad
- Roasted Butternut Squash from above
- 12 oz. spring salad mix
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado
- 1 cup pomegranates or dried cranberries
- 4 oz. soft crumbled goat cheese
- Caramelized nuts or pistachios
Cranberry Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 small shallot, peeled
- 2 tablespoons sugar, more or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 3/4 cup olive or canola oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Butternut Squash
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Add butternut squash to a foil lined baking sheet (for easy cleanup). Add olive oil, maple syrup, salt, pepper, cayenne and toss until evenly coated. Roast for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until tender.
- When ready to serve, toss all of the salad ingredients together in a large bowl. You can either drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss to combine or if you expect leftovers, drizzle individual salad servings with dressing.
Cranberry Vinaigrette
- Add cranberries, garlic clove and shallot to food processor and chop fine.
- Add sugar, Dijon, red wine vinegar, oil, salt and pepper and process until smooth.
- Refrigerate Vinaigrette while you prepare the salad ingredients then whisk/shake again before drizzling over salad.
The Vinaigrette is best if allowed to chill at least one hour in advance. Vinaigrette can a be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a couple days.
Recipe Notes
You can prepare all of the salad ingredients days in advance (except the apple) and keep them separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator (except nuts – keep at room temperature in an airtight container) until ready to serve so your salad can come together in minutes.
All ingredients are a guideline. Add more or less of your favorite salad fixings!
Source: Carlsbad Cravings