Description
A vibrant autumn salad featuring roasted butternut squash, crisp Honeycrisp apples, peppery greens, and a tangy maple-sherry vinaigrette, topped with toasted nuts and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups mixed greens (arugula and baby spinach), washed and dried
- 4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1½ tablespoons sherry vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- 1 small shallot, finely minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss butternut squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the edges caramelize and cubes are tender, about 25–30 minutes, flipping once.
- While the squash roasts, toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 4–6 minutes. Transfer to a plate to stop cooking.
- Whisk the vinaigrette: combine sherry vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon, minced shallot, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and whisk until emulsified.
- Assemble the salad: place mixed greens in a large bowl, add warm roasted squash and apple slices, drizzle with vinaigrette, and toss gently.
- Plate and finish: transfer to serving plates, scatter toasted nuts and crumbled cheese on top, and finish with a grind of black pepper and extra maple if desired.
Notes
Serve on chilled plates and assemble components just before serving to maintain crispness. Store components separately for best results.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg