This Roasted Squash and Apple Salad Is Your New Favorite Lunch

When it gets cold outside, salads are at their best when they’re full of hearty seasonal flavors like sliced apples and roasted squash. (Don’t forget the nuts and cheese, either.) This one is full of fresh, leafy arugula with sweet and spicy butternut squash and an apple cider vinaigrette with a spicy kick that’s perfect for autumn. It’s a great option for a satisfying lunch salad, or a side dish for a big gathering. 

Start by roasting the butternut squash. Toss several cups of cubed butternut squash with olive oil, a bit of maple syrup, and a spicy creole seasoning blend. The spices will give it a really great kick that makes the whole salad extra special. And this roasted butternut squash is basically perfect on its own, too. If you have the spices, you can mix up a batch as an easy side dish any night. Just arrange it on a baking dish lined with parchment paper and roast it for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until it’s golden-brown and fork-tender. If you’re using it for this salad, let it cool for a few minutes before tossing it onto the arugula. 

Fill a big salad bowl or serving plate with arugula and mixed greens. Toss it all with some sliced apples and sliced pears. Put the squash on top of the salad and add toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese. Sprinkle the top with pomegranate seeds. Pomegranate is great in fall salads. I love the way the little arils pop when you bite into them.  

Make your own dressing by combining olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a bit of Dijon mustard in a bowl or small jar with more of the spicy Creole seasoning. If you’re using a jar, seal it and shake the jar vigorously to emulsify the ingredients into a perfect dressing. If you prefer a bowl, combine them with a whisk. Either way, you’ll have a perfect homemade salad dressing that’s extremely easy to make and tastes absolutely fantastic. It’ll have you wanting to eat salads for dinner all season long.

Get the recipe: Autumn Salad with Seasoned Roasted Butternut Squash from Hip Foodie Mom

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