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Autumn Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash Croutons

Autumn Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash Croutons

Autumn Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash Croutons features seasonal ingredients for a fresh twist on the classic.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • large bowl
  • medium bowl
  • Knife
  • cutting board
  • oven

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale destemmed & shredded or finely chopped (about 3 cups chopped)
  • 1 large shallot thinly sliced
  • 1 medium delicata squash roughly 1 pound, deseeded & sliced into ½-inch cubes
  • ⅓ cup pine nuts or chopped walnuts
  • ⅓ cup shaved parmesan
  • ⅓ cup Caesar dressing of choice

Squash Croutons

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped or grated
  • 3 tablespoons hardy fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, or thyme
  • kosher salt to season
  • ground black pepper to season

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  • Gather & prep ingredients as needed, cleaning & chopping the squash and destemming & shredding the kale.

Prepare the Squash Croutons

  • Place the cubed delicata on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper, toss to combine, then arrange in an even layer.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, and herbs. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and combine until crumbly. Sprinkle over the seasoned delicata squash and press to adhere.

Roasting

  • Roast the squash for 20-25 minutes until tender and golden. Add nuts in the last 3-4 minutes to toast.

Massage Kale

  • In a large bowl, combine the shredded kale and sliced shallots with a pinch of salt. Squeeze lemon juice over and massage until vibrant and wilty.

Assembly

  • To the kale, add the squash croutons, toasted nuts, and shaved parmesan. Drizzle dressing and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Notes

Delicata squash is naturally sweet and has tender skin. For a vegetarian variation, omit the cheese or use plant-based alternatives. Serve with proteins like shredded chicken or sausage for extra heartiness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 9gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Autumn recipe, caesar salad, Delicata squash, Fall recipe, Healthy Salad, vegetarian salad
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