Butternut Squash + Apple Salad with Date Dressing
Just throw Fall in a bowl and eat it. Seriously. I’m all about seasonal produce and highlighting the natural flavors and this just DOES IT!
Textures galore from the creamy roasted butternut squash, crunchy candied pecans and apples with the earthy dates and goat cheese. Don’t forget about the pops of pomegranates and crisp romaine lettuce.
I could go on. But you just need to make it today!
Candied + Smoky Pecans
It’s an extra step but well worth it. Plus make a bit more and you can snack on them!
Mix the pecans with an egg white, brown sugar, salt and smoked paprika. Roast for 15 minutes, toss and let cool. Then break them up and top any salad with them.
More Fall inspired salads I'm loving.
Butternut Squash + Apple Salad with Date Dressing
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small butternut squash, sliced thinly
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 egg white, beaten well
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1 head romaine lettuce, cleaned and roughly chopped
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 honey crisp apple, sliced
- 6–8 pitted dates, diced
- 2 heaping tablespoons goat cheese
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
Date Dressing
- 1/4 cup good quality olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2–3 dates, pitted and small diced
- 1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F.
- Place the butternut squash on a baking sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle a pinch of each salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast for 12-15 minutes or until the squash is tender and slightly browned.
- Meanwhile, combine the pecans, egg white, brown sugar, smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt together on a parchment lined baking sheet tray. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and toss slightly and let cool on the tray.
- To assemble the salad, simply layer the lettuce greens in a large shallow bowl. Top with the butternut squash and apple slices. Sprinkle in the dates, goat cheese and pomegranate seeds. Serve with the dressing.
Notes
To make things a bit faster, purchase the butternut squash diced in a container in your produce section at your grocery store.
You can cook the squash and the pecans together – even on the same sheet tray if you would like. Just separated on the baking tray.
- Prep Time: 20
Did you make this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @whitesparrowfoodco or #whitesparrowfoodco I’d love to hear what you thought of the recipe!
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