Roasted Acorn Squash Salad
Ingredients
-
1 medium acorn squash, sliced
-
4 cups fresh spinach or mixed salad greens
-
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
-
â…“ cup dried cranberries
-
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the dressing:
-
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
-
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven: Heat to 400°F (200°C).
-
Roast the squash: Slice the acorn squash, remove the seeds, and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and golden.
-
Prepare the dressing: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, and Dijon mustard.
-
Assemble the salad: Place the spinach in a large bowl. Add the roasted squash, cranberries, feta cheese, and chopped pecans.
-
Dress and serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss gently, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Questions & Answers (Q&A)
Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes! Roast the squash ahead and refrigerate it. Add the dressing and toppings just before serving.
Q2: Can I make this salad vegan? Yes. Replace feta cheese with vegan cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey.
Q3: What can I use instead of pecans? Walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds work beautifully.
Q4: Can I serve this salad cold? Yes! It tastes delicious both warm and chilled.
