Warm Butternut Kale Quinoa Salad

This Butternut Kale Quinoa Salad is delicious, healthy and wholesome. Roasted spiced butternut squash and warm cooked quinoa is tossed with kale, slightly wilting it, before tossing with toasted pepitas, dried cranberries, golden raisins and cider dijon dressing. Serves 6 to 8.

This salad is Fall in a bowl.

Ever since Mother Nature flipped the switch from summer to fall, I’m making soups and roasting allthethings. This warm kale salad was one of many on my list to make once the temperatures dropped a little. And I was quickly reminded why I love this salad so much.

The roasted butternut bring sweet and some spice (and I don’t mean spicy heat!) from smoked paprika to cumin to nutmeg. You can count on the kale and quinoa to bulk up the salad while adding vitamins and nutrients, protein and fiber. And let’s not forget the pan toasted pepitas! Besides toasty flavor, they give this salad much needed crunch while the golden raisins and dried cranberries add great texture and sweetness.

So bring on the sweaters and scarves, hot apple cider and all things squash and roasted (and braised)!

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To Make This Butternut Squash Kale Quinoa Salad You Will Need:

for the dressing:

kosher salt – Enhances the flavors of this dressing.
freshly ground black pepper – This will add some subtle bite and flavor.
garlic – Adds delicious punchy flavor. A small shallot (minced) can also be added or substituted.
apple cider vinegar – Adds tartness, tang and a slight sweetness.
maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey may also be substituted.
dijon mustard – Helps with emulsion and also gives the dressing a nice tanginess.
extra virgin olive oil – Lends richness and flavor.

for the salad:

butternut squash – A Y-peeler really helps make peeling a butternut squash easier.
avocado oil – Or use any neutral oil made for high temperature cooking/roasting. (like grapeseed or sunflower oil)
dark brown sugar – Caramelizes once roasted and brings out the natural sweetness of the roasted butternut squash.
smoked paprika – For a touch of smokiness.
coriander (ground) – Lends a citrusy flavor with a slight sweetness and subtle hint of earthiness.
cumin (ground) – Lends earthiness and warmth, with an edge of citrus.
kosher salt – This will draw out flavor and season the dish.
freshly ground black pepper – For added bite and flavor.
nutmeg – Warm, aromatic with subtle hints of clove.
cayenne – For a very subtle touch of heat.

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In a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, measure and add; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 clove garlic grated (or add/substitute a small minced shallot), 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard and 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey and 6 tablespoons olive oil.

Shake well to combine, making sure the maple syrup or honey is thoroughly incorporated.

Toast The Pepitas:

Add 1/3 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) into a skillet and heat over medium to medium-low. Shake or stir the pan until the pepitas are golden brown in spots and smell nutty. You might hear them popping a bit, that’s normal.

Make the Quinoa:

Place 1 cup quinoa in a mesh sieve and rinse well under cool water.

Follow the package directions for preparing. I add 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and 2 cups water. Heat on high heat and bring to a rapid boil. Once boiling, cover and turn off the heat, leaving the covered pot still on the burner. Set a timer for 20 minutes.

Once cooked fluff with a fork or spatula.

Roast the butternut squash:

Preheat your oven to 400°.

Place 4 cups diced butternut squash onto a rimmed metal baking sheet. Drizzle with 1-1/2 tablespoons avocado oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander, 3/4 ground cumin, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg and cayenne pepper.