Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: goat cheese

💰Cheaper: cottage cheese

Goat cheese provides a tangy flavor, while cottage cheese is more budget-friendly.

walnuts

🥗Healthier: pumpkin seeds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Pumpkin seeds offer a similar crunch and are nutrient-dense.

quinoa

🥗Healthier: farro

💰Cheaper: brown rice

Farro is a nutritious grain that is often less expensive than quinoa.

balsamic vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: red wine vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is lighter and can be more affordable.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and place a baking sheet inside to heat up.

Peel the butternut squash using a serrated vegetable peeler.

Cut off both ends of the squash, then cut it in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon.

Dice the squash into bite-sized pieces and place them in a shallow bowl.

Drizzle the diced squash with a tiny bit of avocado oil and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Mix the oil and seasoning into the squash with your hands.

Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and place the diced butternut squash on it, listening for it to sizzle.

Roast the squash in the oven for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through at the 20 or 30 minute mark.

While the squash roasts, cook the quinoa in an Instant Pot by adding 1 cup of quinoa, 1 cup of water, and a little sea salt, sealing it, and setting it to one minute on high pressure.

Prepare the dressing by finely slicing 3 sage leaves and adding them to a sealable container.

Add 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, the juice of one clementine, and sea salt and pepper to taste to the container with sage.

Seal the container and shake until well combined.

Once the quinoa and butternut squash have cooled slightly, assemble the salad by placing 5 ounces of arugula in a large salad bowl.

Add the cooked quinoa, roasted butternut squash, 1/3 cup of chopped pecans, and 1/4 cup of dried cranberries to the bowl.

Pour the sage vinaigrette over the salad and stir well to combine.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens