Autumn Squash Salad, Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Acorn Squash Salad, Korean Pear, Farro, Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola, Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Autumn Squash Salad

Acorn Squash, Korean Pear, Mixed Lettuces
Farro, Smoky Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola

Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Looking for a salad that just screams Fall? Look no further. Crisp, juicy, sweet Korean pear contrasts the tender roasted acorn squash while farro adds a chewiness and nutty earthy notes. Crumbly, salty bleu-veined gorgonzola and smoky spicy pumpkin seeds add amplitude. It is all harmonized by the dressing, a deep ruby-hued tart vinaigrette. Color, texture, flavor, a feeling of abundance – it’s all right here in this stunning seasonal salad.

How to Choose, Cut, and Cook an Acorn Squash

How to CUT and ROAST Acorn Squash

Choose an acorn squash that is relatively heavy for its size, mostly dark green with little to no orange (unless it is an orange variety), with a sturdy stem with no mold, and a firm shell with no soft spots.

Wash the squash, then slice vertically through as close to the stem as possible, with a serrated knife on a sturdy cutting board. Scrape out the seeds and stringy pulp. Then slice the squash halves into half-moons. Toss with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Cover a baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper. Arrange squash on the parchment and bake in a 425°F oven until tender and nicely browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool to room temperature for the salad.

Autumn Squash Salad

Acorn Squash Salad, Korean Pear, Farro, Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola, Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Ingredients:

  • mixed lettuces including radicchio and butter lettuce
  • korean pear, cut into batons
  • roasted acorn squash, in half-moons
  • farro, cooked and tossed with olive oil and salt
  • smoky spicy pumpkin seeds
  • crumbly gorgonzola, shaved
  • pomegranate vinaigrette

Acorn Squash Salad, Korean Pear, Farro, Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola, Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Smoky Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

How to Make Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Smoky Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

  • 1 c. roasted and salted pumpkin seeds
  • 2 t. canola oil
  • 1 t. ground chili pepper
  • 1/2 t. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 t. kosher salt

Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Stir in chili pepper, paprika and salt.  Add pumpkin seeds and toss to coat.

Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Pomegranate Vinaigrette Recipe

Pomegranate Vinaigrette:

  • 3 T. olive oil
  • 1 T. champagne vinegar
  • 1 T. pomegranate molasses
  • 1 T. shallot, minced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.

Composing the Salad

Acorn Squash Salad, Korean Pear, Farro, Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola, Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Place a bed of lettuce on a platter. Arrange squash and pear batons on top of the lettuce. Spoon farro and pumpkin seeds over the top. Finish with shaved gorgonzola. Drizzle pomegranate vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.

Food Network

featuring

Squash

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#FallFest is a season long franchise where Food Network editors team up with bloggers to share recipes about everyone’s favorite autumn dishes. You might enjoy taking a peek at other SQUASH recipes from some fabulous bloggers below… and be sure to follow our very popular Pinterest Board with over 325,000 followers called Let’s Pull Up A Chair!

Acorn Squash Salad, Korean Pear, Farro, Spicy Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola, Pomegranate Vinaigrette

The Lemon Bowl: Slow Cooker Beef Curry
Creative Culinary: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash, Potato and Roasted Pepper Soup
The Wimpy Vegetarian: Butternut-Apple-Kale Panzanella Salad
Swing Eats: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Taste with the Eyes: Acorn Squash and Korean Pear Salad, Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Butternut Squash & Eggplant Ratatouille
Red or Green: Butternut Squash & Chipotle Frittata
The Mom 100: Butternut Squash, Black Bean and Chicken Enchilada Cups
Healthy Eats: From Soup to Stir-Fry: 6 Healthy Uses for In-Season Squash
FN Dish: 7 Days of In-Season Squash

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