Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

Last Tuesday, you would have found Dallas County Master Gardeners on Joe Field Road busy preparing our first and (will be repeated) ” farm to table” lunch.

Craving just the right salad for your own fall feast? Here is our recipe for roasted butternut squash salad with the,oh so good, warm vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

1 (1 ½-pound) butternut squash, peeled and ¾-inch diced

Good olive oil

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons dried cranberries

¾ cup apple cider or apple juice

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons minced shallots

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

4 ounces baby arugula, washed and spun dry

¼ cup walnut halves, lightly toasted

¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place the squash on a sheet pan.  Add 2 tablespoon olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper and toss.

3. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender.  Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.

4. While the squash is roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar, and shallots in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cider is reduced to about ¼ cup.  Off the heat, whisk in the mustard, ½ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.

5. Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, and the grated Parmesan.  Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten, and toss well.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings Adapted from Barefoot Contessa

Linda