Butternut squash, kale, and goat cheese salad

#dishes/salad #seasons/autumn #meals/packed-lunch #meals/dinner #dietary/vegetarian #dietary/gluten-free #scalable #active-time/30-to-60mins
https://www.howsweeteats.com/2020/02/butternut-squash-kale-salad/
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Salad

• 3 cups cubed butternut squash, about 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile pepper
• 1 head tuscan kale, leaves torn from stems
• 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 to 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup Roasted pepitas

Dressing

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp apricot preserves
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced or pressed
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the squash on the sheet and toss with a tablespoon of olive oil. Season with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, paprika and chipotle pepper. Toss well. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the squash has started to caramelize.
3. While the squash is roasting, chop the kale leaves. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle on 1 to 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Use your hands to massage the oil into the kale, massaging for a few minutes. Let the kale sit for 5 minutes.
4. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the kale and toss. Add on the crumbled goat cheese and the roasted pepitas. Add on the squash. Drizzle with the dressing and serve!

Dressing

• In a bowl or jar, whisk together the vinegar, preserves, garlic, salt, pepper flakes and pepper. Stream in the olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Drizzle on the salad! This stays great in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
  Note: can be eaten as a starter salad or can be combined with farro or wild rice to turn into a meal. Would be a good one for meal-prep lunches

Journal

• 2023-11-23: Made for Thanksgiving in Atlanta
• 2023-10: Made many times with Maria this fall, super tasty
• 2022-11: Made for Chris and Konstantinos' Friendsgiving party and people seemed to like it a lot! The roasted pepitas are important.