Thanksgiving Salad
Fruit in salad always feels sophisticated and special. And clever, even though it’s not exactly inventing the wheel. Here, pears, because they also have a very holiday vibe, and pomegranate seeds, because ditto.
And cheese! I am always happy to see cheese in a salad, from feta to Parmesan to ricotta salata. In this salad, we welcome lovely chunks of goat cheese. Add them at the end, and toss lightly, as if you toss them too early and/or vigorously they will blend into the salad, and not stay in distinct little creamy bites.
If you have leftover cooked butternut squash from a previous meal, this is a great way to use it up. Just skip the squash roasting instructions below, and use what you have – obviously make sure the seasonings on the squash feel compatible with the other flavors in the salad.
The butternut squash is cooked until quite tender, and even browned in spots, which gives it that lovely caramelized flavor. It should cool to room temp before you combine it with the other ingredients.
Green Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pears, and Goat Cheese: This salad has so much going on in terms of color, flavor, texture, and a definite fall/winter/holiday vibe.
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What to Serve with Green Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash:
- Simple Lemon-Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast
- Roast Eye of Round Beef with Thyme and Rosemary
- Orange Thyme Rack of Lamb Chops
- Mediterranean Braised Lamb Shoulder Chops
- Apple Cider Beef Stew
Other Holiday Salad Recipes:
- Arugula, Orange and Pomegranate Salad
- Red Salad with Citrus, Honey and Thyme Vinaigrette
- Frisee, Radicchio and Escarole Salad with Citrus Dressing
- Green Salad with Pears, Parmesan and Pomegranate Seeds and Puff Pastry Croutons
- Green Bean Salad with Clementine Oranges and Feta
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Green Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pears, and Goat Cheese
Ingredients
For the Roasted Butternut Squash:
- 4 cups peeled and sliced butternut squash (pieces about 1 x 2 inches, 1/4-inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1 large shallot , minced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Kosher or coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 4 cups baby arugula
- 4 cups thinly sliced romaine
- 1 pear , halved, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
Directions
- Roast the squash: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, then spread the squash on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss until the squash is evenly coated. Bake for 35 minutes, until the squash is nicely browned in spots and very tender. Set aside to come to room temperature.
- Make the vinaigrette. In a small container, combine the shallots, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, and salt and pepper. Shake to blend.
- Place the arugula and romaine in a large serving bowl. Add the pears and butternut squash, drizzle over the vinaigrette and toss to combine. Add half the the goat cheese andf half the pomegranate seeds and gently toss again. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and pomegranate seeds over the top and serve.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition values are provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
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