Description
A vibrant and nutritious autumn salad featuring roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, dried cranberries, and feta cheese with toasted nuts for the perfect seasonal crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups Mixed greens (arugula and spinach)
- 2 cups Butternut squash, diced
- 1 cup Tart apples (Granny Smith), chopped
- 1/2 cup Dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup Crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup Walnuts or pecans, toasted
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare squash: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss diced butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and roast 25-30 minutes until tender.
- Prep greens: Wash and dry mixed greens thoroughly using salad spinner or paper towels. Remove any wilted leaves.
- Prepare apples: Core and chop apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss with lemon juice to prevent browning and maintain crispness.
- Toast nuts: Toast walnuts or pecans in dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and chop roughly.
- Combine ingredients: In large bowl, combine cooled roasted squash, mixed greens, apples, cranberries, feta cheese, and toasted nuts.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle with favorite vinaigrette and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately for best texture.
Notes
- Let roasted squash cool completely before adding to prevent wilting the greens
- Toast nuts yourself for maximum freshness and flavor intensity
- Add dressing just before serving to maintain optimal crunchiness
- Store components separately for up to 3 days – combine just before serving for best results
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting and Assembling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 285 calories
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 17mg
Keywords: crunchy autumn chopped salad, butternut squash salad, fall salad, healthy salad, seasonal vegetables