This Squash Kale Salad is anything but boring. We combine roasted kabocha squash, fresh herbs, marinated dates, and toasted pepitas with tenderized kale for a healthy and delicious fall salad. Add this to your list of Thanksgiving side dishes this year!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Keyword: best kale salad, healthy thanksgiving sides, kabocha squash, kabocha squash recipes, kale salad, Thanksgiving side dishes
Servings: 4people
Author: Amy
Equipment
Baking Pan
Ingredients
1/2cuppepitas
1/2cupextra- virgin olive oil
1kabocha squashhalved peeled and cut into slices.
1tablespoonthyme leaveschopped
2teaspoonrosemary leaveschopped
2teaspoonsage leaveschopped
2teaspoonsof kosher salt
1/2teaspoonground black pepper
3ouncesgrated Parmigiano- Reggiano
6ouncespitted dates
1lemon juicedabout 4 tablespoons
3tablespoonssliced flat-leaf parsleychopped
1bunch kale leavesstems removed and roughly chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Spread the pepitas on a baking sheet, and toast for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until they smell nutty.
Remove from oven and place in a small bowl to cool.Preheat oven to 425°F.
Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds, and peel. Remove stem and discard.
Slice the squash lengthwise into 1- inch- thick wedges.
Toss the squash wedges in a bowl with ¼ cup olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, rosemary and sage. Place the squash flat on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Cube once cooled.
Slice dates in half and then slice thinly lengthwise, being careful not to let them stick together into one big ball. Toss the dates in a bowl with remaining ¼ cup olive oil, the lemon juice, and parsley. Stir in the Parmigiano- Reggiano.
Place chopped kale in serving bowl, add juice from 1/2 of the lemon (about 2 tablespoons) and toss kale with your hands massaging juice into leaves (this will tenderize the kale leaves)
Top with cubed squash, then spread date mixture on top of squash.
Toss together, top with pepitas and additional grated parmesan cheese if desired.