Delicata Squash, Pepita, & Baby Kale Salad

I serve a lot of salads during the spring and summer, but once winter hits I usually stick to getting my greens from cooked vegetable dishes. There are plenty of delicious vegetable soups and roasted sides out there to enjoy that I’ll forget about all the hearty winter salads I could make. This particular dish is inspired by a starter I had at Gjelina a few weeks ago, although I changed up the ingredients to use ones I like best. The basic thought is mixing together a hearty, leafy green, still-warm roasted squash, crunchy seeds, and salty cheese. My version is full of crispy delicata squash, crunchy pepitas (pumpkin seeds), tangy goat cheese, and tender baby kale. I go heavy on everything but the greens so it’s filling enough to work as a lunch salad or as a substantial dinner side. 

Related Recipes:
- Lentil, Butternut Squash, & Goat Cheese Salad
- Kale RibbonSalad with Roasted Garlic Dressing & Parmesan
- Mixed Green Salad with Squash & Prosciutto


Delicata Squash, Goat Cheese, Pepita, & Baby Kale Salad:
For Dressing

• Whisk together 1 tsp. Dijon mustard with 1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Slowly whisk in 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil until emulsified. Set aside.

For Salad

• Scrub the skin of 1 small delicata squash, trim off the ends, and cut in half lengthwise.
• Scoop the seeds outside of center, then slice each half into 1/4"-1/8" thin half moons.
• Toss the squash with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet.
• Roast the squash in a 400F oven for 15 minutes, or until browned and the edges are crispy.
• Add 1/2 c. of raw pepitas* to the baking tray for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Let the squash and pepitas cool for a few minutes, then add to a bowl with 4 c. baby kale.**
• Add in 3-4 oz. of fresh crumbled goat cheese and the dressing.
• Toss to combine and serve immediately.

Serves two (main dish)

Serves four-six (side dish)
*Shelled pumpkin seeds.
**Or any hearty baby green that you like.