FALL HARVEST SALAD WITH MAPLE VINAIGRETTE
Making the perfect salad is like walking a tightrope — it’s all about balance, marrying contrasting colors, textures and sweet and savory flavors. The roasted butternut squash gives this salad a beautiful deeporange color and toothsome texture, while the grapes sweeten things up. The same goes for the dressing: Dijon mustard, maple syrup and red wine vinegar — each contributes a unique kick; together they’re a full-on roundhouse. By adding salty feta and pistachios, there’s something to lure everyone to the table. If your kids are adverse to sharp flavors, serve up their salad at the table before mixing in the bitter radicchio and endive.
1 small butternut squash (about 1 1/2
pounds), peeled, seeded and diced 2 Tbsp. olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black
pepper 3 cups mixed baby greens 1/2 head radicchio, thinly sliced 1 Belgian endive, thinly sliced 1 cup seedless red grapes, sliced in half 1/2 cup crumbled feta 1/2 cup chopped salted and roasted
pistachios For the vinaigrette: 1/2 small shallot, minced 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. real maple syrup 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 3 Tbsp. olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black
pepper
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the butternut squash on a sheet tray and drizzle with the oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss it all together. Roast for 30 minutes, giving the squash a good flip halfway through to ensure that it cooks evenly. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, make the maple vinaigrette: In a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the shallot, vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon, olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Shake well to combine; taste and adjust seasoning.
After the squash has cooled, get yourself a large serving bowl and combine half of the butternut squash (reserve the rest for another use or nibble on it while you’re preppin’ the salad), the mixed greens, radicchio, endive, grapes, feta and pistachios. Drizzle with the maple vinaigrette and toss it all together real well. Serve it up immediately. Serves 4 to 6.