Autumn Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Food

AUTUMN BUTTERNUT SQUASH QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. (204 c). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, a silpat or lightly grease with oil.
• In a medium pot, bring the quinoa, water and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer over a gentle boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover and let rest 10 - 15 minutes, fluff with fork.
• Place the butternut squash and onion the prepared sheet pan, drizzle with oil, using your hands or utensils, toss to coat. Spread across sheet pan in a single layer, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and mineral salt. Place on rack in center of the oven and roast for 20 - 30 minutes, stirring once or twice. Will be done when butternut squash is just fork tender, not mushy.
• When done, remove from oven and sprinkle dried cranberries overtop, let cool a few minutes. Cranberries will soften and warm.
• Heat a small pan over medium-low, add pecans and stir often until fragrant for 2 - 3 minutes, careful not to let them burn. This step is optional, pecans are great un-toasted too.
• In a small bowl, combine the orange juice and cinnamon.
• In a large mixing/serving bowl, add the quinoa, butternut squash mixture, kale, pecans, and drizzle with the dressing, toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled. When in season, it pairs great with pomegranate seeds!
• Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 - 6 days.

AUTUMN SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread out on the prepared baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until browned on the edges, stirring halfway through, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, prepare pumpkin seeds. Heat oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add pumpkin seeds, salt, paprika, and cumin. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add maple syrup, stir to coat, and remove from heat.
• Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a glass jar with a screw-top lid. Tighten lid and shake vigorously to emulsify dressing.
• Layer mixed greens, persimmons, cooled butternut squash, feta, pomegranate seeds, and pumpkin seeds on a large platter. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette over salad and serve remainder alongside.

AUTUMN LAYERED SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND QUINOA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans out on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, and roughly chop. Turn the oven up to 425 degrees F.
• Transfer the pecans to a medium bowl. Add 1/3 cup of the vinegar, the mustard, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly, until blended into a vinaigrette.
• Spread the squash out on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the pecan vinaigrette, sprinkle with a large pinch of salt and toss to combine. Roast until the squash is fork-tender and browned in spots, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool. (The squash can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Meanwhile, combine the quinoa and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, adjust the heat to medium-low and cook until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan. (The quinoa can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Put the collards in a medium bowl, and add the remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Rub the vinegar and salt into the collards, and let sit until the greens are tender, about 30 minutes, tossing and massaging again about halfway through.
• Combine the goat cheese, parsley and piquante peppers in a small bowl.
• Using a straight-sided 3-quart tall glass bowl for 1 large salad or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars for 4 individual salads, make a first layer with the quinoa, then add the following in separate layers: half the collard greens, the roasted squash, the goat cheese mixture, the apples, the ham, and the remaining collard greens. Top with the sweet potato chips. (The salad, except for the chips, can be put together, covered and refrigerated up to 2 hours ahead; top with the chips right before serving.)
• If making 1 salad, just before serving, transfer it to a large bowl, toss with the remaining pecan vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. If making 4 salads, add vinaigrette to each jar, season with salt and pepper, cover with the lid and shake to coat.