Kale, Butternut Squash, & Pomegranate Salad

Kale, Butternut Squash, & Pomegranate Salad in a wooden salad bowl with wooden salad utensils.
Prep Time: 
60 min prep time
Number of Servings: 
8

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash (about 3 lb), peeled and cut into 34-inch cubes
  • 14 cup olive oil, divided
  • 5 cloves peeled garlic
  • 12 tsp ground turmeric
  • 14 tsp salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 cup chopped walnuts*
  • 2 large bunches (about 2 lb total) lacinato (Tuscan) kale, stemmed and thinly sliced
  • 14 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon), divided
  • Sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 large pomegranate)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Place cubed squash on a baking sheet, and drizzle 1 teaspoon of the oil over. Add whole garlic cloves, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat
  2. squash with oil and spices. Spread squash evenly around pan and roast for 30 to 40 minutes until fork tender.
  3. While squash is roasting, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add walnuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are just golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
  4. Prepare kale by slicing it into thin strips. Add 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt and massage into kale to wilt. Set aside. (NOTE: If you are prepping this recipe the day ahead, only add lemon and massage kale the day it’s served.)
  5. When squash and garlic are done roasting, remove garlic pieces and add them to a medium bowl or food processor. Add remaining oil, remaining lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, and shallot. Whisk or pulse until smooth.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine kale with about of the dressing. Toss until kale is lightly coated. Add more dressing to taste. (Reserve any leftover dressing for another use.)
  7. Add roasted squash and pomegranate seeds to kale. Toss to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with toasted walnuts.

Notes

*You can substitute pumpkin seeds or sliced almonds for the chopped walnuts.

Nutrition Info: 
236 Calories, 8 g Protein, 37 g Carbohydrates, 9 g Fiber, 9 g Total fat (1 g sat), 291 mg Sodium, ★★★★★ Vitamin A, B6, C, K, Folate, ★★★​ Vitamin E, ★★ Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Iron, Zinc