Print

Cozy Fall Harvest Salad with Roasted Squash

Cozy Fall Harvest Salad with Roasted Squash - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and elegant autumn salad featuring warm, caramelized delicata squash tossed with peppery arugula, toasted walnuts, and a sharp apple cider vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium delicata squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch half-moons
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 5 cups fresh arugula, washed
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
  • 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (avocado or grapeseed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
  2. Peel the delicata squash, remove seeds, and slice into 1-inch half-moons.
  3. In a large bowl, toss squash cubes with olive oil, maple syrup, dried sage, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  4. Spread squash in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. Roast for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and browned.
  5. While squash roasts, toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  6. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, and neutral oil until emulsified.
  7. In a large salad bowl, toss arugula and red onion with half of the vinaigrette.
  8. Arrange dressed greens on a serving platter.
  9. Top with warm roasted squash, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled goat cheese.
  10. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not crowd the squash on the baking sheet to ensure proper caramelization. Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor. For meal prep, store squash, nuts, and dressing separately to maintain texture. If using butternut squash, peel and cube it, roasting for a few minutes longer.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall salad, roasted squash, delicata squash, arugula salad, healthy dinner, meal prep, gluten-free, vegetarian, air fryer recipes, autumn recipes

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/cozy-fall-harvest-salad-with-roasted-squash-easy-15-min-recipe/