Roasted Squash Salad Recipes

HOUSEMAN'S ROASTED-SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Put the currants in a small bowl, and pour the white-wine vinegar over them. Allow them to macerate for several hours or overnight, though in a pinch you can allow them to plump up while you prepare the squash. Heat oven to 450.
• Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, peel both halves (if you like: the skin of the kabocha squash is edible) and slice the squash into 1/4-inch half moons. Dress the squash lightly with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and season with the salt. Place the squash on a parchment-lined sheet pan, and roast until soft and caramelized, approximately 15 to 20 minutes, turning the pieces once or twice during the process. Remove the squash from the oven, and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a medium-size bowl, combine the fennel seed, sumac and coriander, then add the parsley and cilantro, and stir to combine. Add 1/3 cup olive oil, and stir to combine. You want a wet mixture and may need to add a couple of extra tablespoons of oil to get it.
• Drain the currants, reserving the vinegar, and add them to the green sauce. Add the lime juice, pistachios, cheese, 6 tablespoons olive oil and 5 teaspoons vinegar from the pickled currants to the green sauce. Taste, and add more lime juice or vinegar if you like, along with a spray of salt.
• Place squash on a warm platter, and spoon the dressing over the top.

ROASTED SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Slice acorn squash into rounds about 1 inch thick. Slice butternut squash into about 1-inch chunks. Slice kabocha squash into half-moon slices, also about 1 inch thick. Spread the squash out onto a sheet tray, making sure they are in a single layer and slightly spaced out; use two sheet trays if necessary. Drizzle all the squash with the honey and half the olive oil, season with salt and pepper and roast until soft but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Core Brussels sprouts and cut into quarters. Spread them out on a sheet pan, drizzle with remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until slightly tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Spread pepitas out on a sheet tray. Sprinkle with salt and lightly toast until they pop and are a light brown, 6 to 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin seed oil and lemon juice. Lightly dress the arugula leaves with the mixture.
• To assemble, place dressed arugula on a large platter, then arrange squash and Brussels over the arugula. Sprinkle with pepitas and pomegranate seeds and garnish with shaved Parmesan.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD WITH BACON AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Brush cut sides of butternut squash with olive oil. Wrap each squash half tightly in aluminum foil.
• Roast squash halves in the preheated oven until they begin to soften, about 20 minutes. Remove squash from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle. Remove foil and slice into 3/4-inch thick slices. Remove skin from each slice and cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Set aside 8 cups of the cubed squash, reserving any remaining squash for another use.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Add onions to the skillet and cook in the bacon grease for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 8 cups squash and cook, tossing occasionally, until onions are soft and beginning to caramelize, and squash cubes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl. Crumble bacon on top and add pecans and raisins. Add butternut squash-onion mixture; toss to combine. Drizzle with maple syrup and serve warm.

WARM SALAD OF ROASTED SQUASH, PROSCIUTTO AND PECORINO

Steps:

• This is one of those easy salads with a twist. You may have tried a Parma ham, rocket and Parmesan salad with a little balsamic, but by adding warm roasted squash and trying it with pecorino, which is slightly smoother than Parmesan, it's a real pleasure and even feels a bit posh.
• Preheat your oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Carefully cut your butternut squash in half, keeping the seeds intact. Remove the two ends and discard them. Cut each half into quarters and lay in a roasting tray. Rub with a little olive oil. In a pestle and mortar pound up a flat teaspoon each of salt, pepper and your chilli and coriander seeds. Scatter this over the squash. Roast the squash for half an hour or until soft and golden. Allow to cool a little.
• Lay your prosciutto on 4 plates - let it hang over the rim of the plates and encourage it to twist and turn so it doesn't look neat and flat. Tear up your warm squash and put it in and around the ham. Sprinkle over the seeds and the rocket. Drizzle over the olive oil and balsamic, add a tiny pinch of salt and pepper, and use a vegetable peeler to shave over the Pecorino. Easily done.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the pine nuts in a small skillet over low heat and slowly toast them, stirring, until they're golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set aside off heat.
• To prepare the butternut squash, cut off the top and bottom, then use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to remove the hard skin. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Slice the squash into sticks and then slice the sticks into cubes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small skillet or saucepan over low heat. Skim off as much of the foam as you can. Put the squash in a bowl and pour in the melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
• Spread the squash out on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, shaking the baking sheet once or twice during roasting, 25 to 30 minutes. Crank up the heat to 400 degrees F and roast until the squash is sizzling and golden brown around the edges, another 15 minutes or so. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes, then add the Parmesan and toss together. Toss in the pine nuts.
• Mix the olive oil with the balsamic in a bowl and sprinkle in a little salt and pepper. Put the salad greens in a serving bowl and toss with half the dressing. Add the squash mixture and lightly toss it in. Serve the extra dressing on the side. Top with additional Parmesan if desired.