A perfect side dish to grace any holiday table, this sophisticated salad pleases the palate with flavors that play off one another artfully – from the juicy, slightly nutty-tasting squash to the distinctively tart goat cheese and the sweet and tangy pomegranate vinaigrette.
Level
Beginner
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Serves
8-10
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Toss butternut squash with ¼ cup olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl or resealable bag.
- Spread squash evenly over baking pan, and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- While the squash is roasting, whisk together pomegranate juice, remaining ¼ cup olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Toast chopped pecans in a small skillet over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes and set aside.
- Remove squash from oven, and allow to cool, about 10 minutes.
- Assemble salad. In a large bowl, toss together spring mix and squash.
- Top with crumbled goat cheese, pecans, and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with pomegranate vinaigrette and serve.
*Tip: For a quick and easy way to crumble goat cheese, remove a log from the refrigerator and open the packaging on one side. Run the tines of a fork over the open end of cheese to create crumbles directly over the salad.
Share: