Squash And Pomegranate Salad Food

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the butternut squash cubes on the sheet and drizzle with olive oil and pinches of sea salt and pepper. Toss to coat and spread evenly on the baking sheet. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, or until tender and browned around the edges.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne. Set aside.
• Make the Cider Date Dressing: In a blender, combine the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, date, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of water. Add 1 to 2 more tablespoons of water as needed to blend.
• Remove the butternut squash from the oven, let cool slightly, and, while warm, toss with the spice mixture.
• Assemble the salad with the spring mix greens and half of the roasted squash. Drizzle with ⅓ of the dressing, toss lightly, then add the remaining squash, goat cheese, dates, pomegranates, and pistachios. Drizzle with more dressing as desired. Serve immediately.

KALE SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, POMEGRANATE, AND PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together squash, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Place whole head of garlic on a sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tsp. oil, wrap securely in foil and place on baking sheet with squash. Roast, stirring squash occasionally after the first 15 minutes, until squash is golden and tender and garlic is tender, 35-40 minutes. Remove garlic and squash from oven and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp. oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pepitas and cook, stirring occasionally, until about half are golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with 1/4 tsp. salt. Set aside.
• Cut off the top of the garlic head and squeeze all of the softened garlic into a medium bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, shallot, 1 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper, then whisk in oil in a slow, steady stream.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine kale with about 3/4 of the dressing, and use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale. Add more dressing as needed (you may not need all of it). Reserve any leftover dressing for another use.
• Add roasted squash, Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds to bowl; toss together to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
• Do ahead
• Dressing can be prepared 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Squash and garlic can be roasted, and kale can be sliced 1 day ahead; place separately in airtight containers and chill. Salad can be tossed together 30 minutes ahead; keep at room temperature.

KASHA WITH SQUASH AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Place diced squash on parchment, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt to taste and toss together until squash is thoroughly coated with oil. Spread out in a single, even layer on the baking sheet. Place in oven and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until squash is nice and tender and the edges are lightly colored (some can be charred). Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, toss together kasha or freekeh, pecans, pomegranate seeds, and chopped fresh herbs.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together vinegar, pomegranate molasses, allspice and salt to taste. Whisk in remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil and walnut oil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add black pepper if desired.
• Add squash to grain mixture. Add dressing, toss together and serve.

SALAD OF WARM BUTTERNUT SQUASH, POMEGRANATE AND GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F Toss butternut squash pieces, olive oil, rosemary, and crushed red pepper or pinch cayenne on large baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt, to taste. Roast for 10 minutes. Remove squash from oven and flip them around a bit before popping back into the oven for another 10 minutes or so depending on the size and oven they may be done sooner. You are looking for the squash to begin browning and to become nice and tender.
• (The squash can be made up to two hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. I prefer it warm).
• While the squash is baking whisk the freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil together. Season with some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and set aside.
• When you are ready to assemble the salad, combine the lettuce, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts and lightly toss in the dressing. Spoon warm or room temperature squash over the top of the salad and sprinkle with feta cheese.
• Enjoy!