Autumn Salad
Ingredients
1 delicata squash, seeds removed, sliced into ½ inch semi-circles (skins left on); or 2 cups cubed butternut squash, skin removed
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
2 teaspoons + 1 teaspoon maple syrup
kosher salt
¼ cup walnut oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
coarsely ground black pepper
8-9 cups (6 ounces) tender baby kale leaves
1 cup cooked quinoa, warm or room temp
1 avocado, peel and pit removed, sliced thin
1-2 Chilean mandarin oranges, peeled and separated into segments
¼ cup pepitas (toasted pumpkin seeds)
Directions
Preheat oven to 425.
Scatter butternut squash onto a sheet pan. Toss squash with coconut oil, 2 teaspoons maple syrup and ¼ teaspoon salt. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
Whisk together dressing ingredients: walnut oil, remaining teaspoon maple syrup, balsamic, plus a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
On a serving platter or salad bowl, combine kale, caramelized squash, quinoa, avocado, persimmon and pepitas. Drizzle dressing over the salad until ingredients are glistening with a nice coat of dressing. (Note: you may have excess dressing leftover).
Season with additional salt and ample ground black pepper.
(Serves 2 as a main, 4-6 as a side dish)
