Description
This Fall Harvest Salad with Apples is a vibrant and nutritious salad combining maple roasted butternut squash, toasted pecans, fresh mixed greens, crisp bell pepper, red onion, and sweet apple slices. It’s enhanced with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette featuring pure maple syrup and fresh rosemary, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors ideal for autumn meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups maple roasted butternut squash
- ½ cup toasted pecans (coarsely chopped)
- 6-8 cups mixed greens (kale or spinach)
- 1 small bell pepper (yellow or red, thinly sliced)
- ¼ red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 small apple (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp. fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- ¼ tsp. salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Maple Roasted Butternut Squash: Roast cubed butternut squash with maple syrup until tender and caramelized. If you prefer, substitute with roasted sweet potato cubes.
- Toast Pecans: Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for 7-10 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned.
- Make Dressing: Combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, fresh rosemary, and salt in a high-speed blender or mini food processor. Blend for 20-30 seconds until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss Greens with Dressing: In a large bowl, add the mixed greens and pour the vinaigrette over them. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all the greens with the dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: Top the dressed greens with sliced bell pepper, red onion, apple slices, pumpkin seeds, toasted pecans, and the maple roasted butternut squash cubes.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a fresh, crunchy salad or accompany with fried goat cheese for an extra rich flavor.
Notes
- The butternut squash can be roasted in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use any mix of greens such as kale, spinach, or arugula based on preference.
- For a vegan option, omit fried goat cheese if serving with it.
- Adjust the maple syrup in the dressing to taste for more or less sweetness.
- To toast pecans without an oven, use a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant.
