Prep Time:30 minsAdditional Time:10 minsTotal Time:40 minsServings:8Yield:10 cupsJump to Nutrition Facts
Prep Time:30 minsAdditional Time:10 minsTotal Time:40 minsServings:8Yield:10 cups
Prep Time:30 mins
Prep Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:10 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:40 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:8
Servings:
8
Yield:10 cups
Yield:
10 cups
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Jump to recipe
OurFall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddarhas it all when you’re looking for the perfect autumn side. Antioxidant-packed butternut squash is roasted to perfection and added to a bed of heart-healthy spinach. The veggies, apple and pecans give a fiber boost to this dish that is a treat for your microbiome. This nutritious salad is tossed with a tangy balsamic and sweet maple vinaigrette and topped with creamy Cheddar cubes for richness. This dish is a seasonal delight, but get ready to enjoy it all year long. Keep reading for our expert tips on adding more protein to this salad, easy ingredient substitutions and more!
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
Nutrition Notes
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Ingredients
1small(1 1/2pounds)butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice(about4cups)
2clovesgarlic, minced
3tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided
½teaspoonsalt, divided
½teaspoonground pepper, divided
2tablespoonsbalsamic vinegar
1teaspoonmaple syrup
2teaspoonsDijon mustard
1mediumHoneycrisp apple, diced
½cupdiced sharp Cheddar cheese
½cuptoasted chopped pecans
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Stir 1 1/2 pounds squash, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper together in a large bowl. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast, stirring once, until tender, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 2 teaspoons mustard and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in the large bowl. Add 8 cups spinach, the roasted squash, apple, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 cup pecans. Toss to coat.
To make aheadPrepare thebutternut squashup to 7 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can toast the pecans 1 week ahead.
To make ahead
Prepare thebutternut squashup to 7 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can toast the pecans 1 week ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your squash should be dark beige, firm, smooth, unblemished and feel heavy for its size. Give it a gentle tap, and it should sound hollow.
Absolutely. Seeds from a pumpkin or any winter squash are delicious roasted. You can add roasted butternut squash seeds to this salad recipe, use as a garnish for soups or snack on them. To prepare the seeds, wash them thoroughly, mix them with olive oil, honey and your choice of seasonings, then cook them in a skillet for about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow them to cool in the pan afterward.
This salad is perfect for holiday gatherings withturkeyorbeef tenderloin, but it’s versatile enough to enjoy any day of the week alongsidechicken souporsandwich. This is also the kind of salad that can be a meal with a side ofcornbread.
EatingWell.com, October 2019
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Nutrition Facts(per serving)185Calories13gFat16gCarbs5gProtein
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
Linda Frahm
